1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,480
One, the time is now 5.50. We're going to call this special meeting for the Planning Commission

2
00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,680
Appeal to order. Madam Clerk, can you please call the roll?

3
00:00:10,100 --> 00:00:11,100
Councilmember Cobara.

4
00:00:11,580 --> 00:00:11,960
Present.

5
00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:13,440
Councilmember Benales.

6
00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:14,000
Present.

7
00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:15,200
Councilmember Lopez.

8
00:00:15,740 --> 00:00:16,080
Present.

9
00:00:16,460 --> 00:00:17,060
Vice Mayor Adams.

10
00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:17,820
Present.

11
00:00:18,220 --> 00:00:18,780
Mayor Killings.

12
00:00:19,220 --> 00:00:25,840
Present. Thank you. And so we'll go ahead and start with this item and I'll turn

13
00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:28,680
it over to Madam City Manager to introduce the item.

14
00:00:29,260 --> 00:00:35,400
Thank you, Mayor. Tonight's item on the special meeting is a public hearing on an appeal of

15
00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:40,060
the Planning Commission denial of a use permit for the Baby Yale Academy and the City of

16
00:00:40,060 --> 00:00:45,580
Lord Zion Cumberland. Presenting this item this evening is Kelsey Gunter, Associate Planner.

17
00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:50,440
With her are John Funderberg, Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development and

18
00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:53,240
Jordan Davis, Director of Community and Economic Development.

19
00:00:59,830 --> 00:01:02,790
Thank you very much, Ms. Aliyoti. And yes, I will be presenting item number

20
00:01:02,790 --> 00:01:07,370
number one this evening. It's an appeal regarding the planning commission's determination to

21
00:01:07,370 --> 00:01:11,310
deny a use permit for Baby Yell Academy in City of the Lords, Ion Cumberland.

22
00:01:13,420 --> 00:01:13,700
Before

23
00:01:13,700 --> 00:01:17,200
I begin with my presentation, I would like to outline the format of this appeal hearing

24
00:01:17,200 --> 00:01:22,480
to ensure that the public and anyone wishing to speak on this item understands the project's

25
00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:27,000
procedures and staff's presentation. So to begin, the mayor will open the public

26
00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:32,180
hearing, hear a presentation from the appellant, hear from members of the public, hear

27
00:01:32,180 --> 00:01:38,240
rebuttal or concluding response from the appellant, close the public hearing and ask any questions

28
00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:43,040
as applicable, and then also lastly to deliberate and then act on the appeal.

29
00:01:46,970 --> 00:01:50,830
By way of project background, I'd like to provide an outline of how we've arrived here tonight

30
00:01:50,830 --> 00:01:52,330
and then begin to present the project.

31
00:01:53,050 --> 00:01:58,290
The project applicant filed a use permit on June 20, 2025, requesting approval of

32
00:01:58,290 --> 00:02:02,190
three different uses within a commercial multi-tenant space within Old Town Pittsburgh.

33
00:02:03,170 --> 00:02:08,710
The application was brought before the Planning Commission on August 12th, 2025, in which it

34
00:02:08,710 --> 00:02:13,730
was denied by a vote of five in favor, zero in opposition, and one abstained commissioner

35
00:02:14,090 --> 00:02:17,110
on the basis of the inability to make finding J in the affirmative.

36
00:02:18,590 --> 00:02:22,250
On August 20th, the project applicant filed an appeal of the Planning Commission's

37
00:02:22,250 --> 00:02:24,470
determination for a hearing before the City Council.

38
00:02:25,430 --> 00:02:28,050
And just a bit of background about the project site itself.

39
00:02:28,350 --> 00:02:29,750
It is within a multi-tenant building.

40
00:02:29,750 --> 00:02:34,090
It's within the downtown commercial core of Old Town Pittsburgh and the previous use of

41
00:02:34,090 --> 00:02:34,450
the site.

42
00:02:34,630 --> 00:02:38,590
One of the tenant spaces most recently was approved for a use permit for a boxing gym.

43
00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:47,900
The requested approval of planning application AP-25-0054 includes the request to establish

44
00:02:47,900 --> 00:02:53,480
a daycare general use at 640 Cumberland, a religious assembly use at 650 Cumberland

45
00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:56,980
and an office business and administrative use at 670 Cumberland.

46
00:02:59,380 --> 00:03:02,340
As for business operations, I'm going to go through the three different tenant

47
00:03:02,340 --> 00:03:06,400
spaces to describe each of the uses proposed within each tenant space.

48
00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:13,120
So to begin, one of the tenant spaces will be entitled to operate as a daycare general

49
00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:16,760
use which would offer toddler preschool and school age programs.

50
00:03:17,940 --> 00:03:20,840
The age range here is 18 months to 12 years old.

51
00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,040
There will be a designated accessible pickup and drop off area.

52
00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:27,800
And then there will be a staggered schedule to reduce traffic congestion.

53
00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:33,220
that stagger schedule is a condition of approval requiring some spacing between different drop-off

54
00:03:33,220 --> 00:03:39,940
and pickup times, and the average operation time is between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. And I will

55
00:03:39,940 --> 00:03:43,980
say that that 18 months to 12 years old, we've had previous comments with the Commission

56
00:03:43,980 --> 00:03:49,000
regarding the separation between those different ages, and there will be different cubicles,

57
00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:53,640
different partition set-up to ensure that there are age-appropriate separations.

58
00:03:56,340 --> 00:04:02,020
The middle tenant of the multi-tenant commercial building is a religious assembly use, and the

59
00:04:02,020 --> 00:04:07,200
day's operations do vary for this proposed use, but it may be used Monday through Sunday.

60
00:04:08,420 --> 00:04:13,400
There is no fixed seating as part of this facility, but it does have the ability to accommodate

61
00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:18,560
up to 80 people, and the average operation time here is 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

62
00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:24,440
And the third entitlement requested this evening is an office business and administrative

63
00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:24,880
use.

64
00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:29,820
And this office business administrative use would be a supportive use to both the daycare

65
00:04:29,820 --> 00:04:31,780
general and the religious assembly use.

66
00:04:32,100 --> 00:04:36,800
It has office space and kitchenette space for both of the uses to operate, to accommodate

67
00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:37,360
operations.

68
00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:43,140
There are interlocking doors between the three unit spaces, so they're able to transfer

69
00:04:43,140 --> 00:04:48,700
any food or office necessities in between the different, in between the different

70
00:04:48,700 --> 00:04:49,120
tenant spaces.

71
00:04:51,540 --> 00:04:54,020
This slide here provides an aerial view of the project location.

72
00:04:54,020 --> 00:04:57,160
It is a single parcel with zero-foot setbacks.

73
00:04:57,840 --> 00:04:59,740
It is between Railroad Avenue and Cumberland Street

74
00:04:59,740 --> 00:05:03,900
with the three tenant spaces requesting entitlements tonight

75
00:05:03,900 --> 00:05:05,360
fronting on Cumberland Street,

76
00:05:05,500 --> 00:05:07,600
and they're highlighted on the screen in yellow.

77
00:05:10,100 --> 00:05:12,540
This is the project's proposed floor plan.

78
00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:16,580
This is the area for the daycare space.

79
00:05:17,280 --> 00:05:19,580
Entry again on Cumberland, it's on the right-hand side,

80
00:05:19,700 --> 00:05:23,340
and the daycare facility would be highlighted here in yellow.

81
00:05:23,340 --> 00:05:33,900
That open space for the daycare kind of like the larger side on the left hand area left hand side of the screen is the area that would have different partition set up for the different age ranges.

82
00:05:34,420 --> 00:05:40,720
And the pickup and drop off area would be right out front of the door and check in also close to the front door.

83
00:05:42,180 --> 00:05:48,220
This tenant space here, highlighted in red, does show the proposed area for religious assembly.

84
00:05:48,840 --> 00:05:51,900
Again, non-fixed seating and approximately 80 people.

85
00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:59,660
And the third tenant space highlighted in green is the proposed office and kitchenette space

86
00:05:59,660 --> 00:06:04,500
to be used to support both the daycare general and religious assembly uses.

87
00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:20,460
So as for code compliance, a use permit is required in the Pedestrian Commercial Zoning District to establish a day care facility, and a use permit is required to establish religious assembly, both in the CP district.

88
00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:32,060
The proposed use permit entitlement also includes the entitlement, as I mentioned, to operate the Office Business and Administrative Use, and while this entitlement doesn't require a use permit in this zone, they are permitted in this zone.

89
00:06:32,060 --> 00:06:37,460
We have lumped this in with the overall entitlement request because the proposed office business

90
00:06:37,460 --> 00:06:40,880
and administrative use would be used to support the other operations.

91
00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:45,480
The proposed businesses are consistent with the intent of the downtown commercial general

92
00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:48,940
plan and pedestrian commercial zoning district.

93
00:06:51,260 --> 00:06:55,220
So as mentioned previously, one of the basis for a denial of the proposed use permit

94
00:06:55,220 --> 00:07:00,100
was the inability to meet finding J. There are findings required by the Pittsburgh

95
00:07:00,100 --> 00:07:02,100
for municipal code, and these findings are listed

96
00:07:02,100 --> 00:07:06,340
within municipal code section 18.16.040.

97
00:07:07,140 --> 00:07:09,220
These are also listed in the staff report

98
00:07:09,220 --> 00:07:10,420
as part of tonight's agenda packet,

99
00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:12,000
as well as the proposed resolution.

100
00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:13,360
It includes a bit of analysis.

101
00:07:14,340 --> 00:07:16,920
But specifically, the Planning Commission

102
00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:18,560
was unable to make a finding J,

103
00:07:18,660 --> 00:07:20,640
which says that if a project is located

104
00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:22,560
within the pedestrian commercial zoning district,

105
00:07:22,920 --> 00:07:25,080
that it will support the goals of creating a vibrant,

106
00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:27,500
economically prosperous, visually interesting,

107
00:07:27,500 --> 00:07:29,920
and engaging pedestrian-oriented atmosphere

108
00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:31,720
along the primary downtown corridor.

109
00:07:37,590 --> 00:07:39,630
Staff believes Finding J can still be made

110
00:07:39,630 --> 00:07:42,150
an affirmative in that the proposed business operator

111
00:07:42,150 --> 00:07:44,730
of all three tenant spaces has expressed a commitment

112
00:07:44,730 --> 00:07:47,310
to enhancing the visual quality of the project site

113
00:07:47,310 --> 00:07:49,210
by investing in the future building frontage

114
00:07:49,210 --> 00:07:51,270
and frontage improvements along Cumberland Street.

115
00:07:51,710 --> 00:07:53,550
I do have some images and conceptual imagery

116
00:07:53,550 --> 00:07:55,730
that we'll get to in a bit detailing

117
00:07:55,730 --> 00:07:57,070
the proposed project improvements.

118
00:07:58,030 --> 00:08:01,290
The proposed baby ill academy and city of Lord's

119
00:08:01,290 --> 00:08:05,250
Zion Cumberland Religious Facility would advance finding Jays' goals by attracting

120
00:08:05,250 --> 00:08:09,990
families to the downtown area, and by creating an increase in pedestrian activity overall

121
00:08:09,990 --> 00:08:11,470
within the downtown commercial core.

122
00:08:12,670 --> 00:08:17,030
And then again, Baby Eels Academy weekday and drop-off pick-up period, and anticipate

123
00:08:17,030 --> 00:08:21,570
to generate additional morning and evening pedestrian presence, providing opportunities

124
00:08:21,570 --> 00:08:26,270
for adult and youth to patronize, to eat at nearby restaurants and to shop at businesses

125
00:08:26,270 --> 00:08:28,430
before going to work or returning home in the evening.

126
00:08:29,410 --> 00:08:34,010
Religious activities, which are expected to occur primarily on weekends or intermittently

127
00:08:34,010 --> 00:08:39,170
during the week, would bring additional visitors to Old Town Pittsburgh to support the local

128
00:08:39,170 --> 00:08:41,570
commerce in downtown Pittsburgh.

129
00:08:42,750 --> 00:08:46,390
The applicant has proven to operate a successful business, as the proposed location would

130
00:08:46,390 --> 00:08:52,050
be one of many facilities in this applicant's operations, overall operations.

131
00:08:52,510 --> 00:08:56,410
They have different facilities within different nearby communities, and they actually have

132
00:08:56,410 --> 00:09:00,530
an existing facility off of East Leland, which has been in operation for many years.

133
00:09:00,950 --> 00:09:04,730
The applicant can speak a bit more to their personal background in that regard.

134
00:09:06,530 --> 00:09:11,250
The applicant has received some conditions of approval that we have discussed with the

135
00:09:11,250 --> 00:09:14,690
applicant and that the applicant has agreed to comply with.

136
00:09:15,070 --> 00:09:17,450
I did want to highlight a couple of key conditions of approval.

137
00:09:18,050 --> 00:09:22,210
They're listed here on the screen, meaning, referring to obtaining and maintaining

138
00:09:22,210 --> 00:09:24,670
all required local, regional, and state licensing.

139
00:09:25,710 --> 00:09:30,350
installation of permanent or semi-permanent landscape planters to improve the visual facade.

140
00:09:31,250 --> 00:09:34,690
And the business owner operator responsible for maintaining peace and order on the premises.

141
00:09:36,050 --> 00:09:42,130
We do require that the applicant follows all California fire code regulations and California building code regulations.

142
00:09:42,870 --> 00:09:48,410
And this is in terms of essential fire sprinklers that are required as part of their conditions of approval,

143
00:09:48,410 --> 00:09:52,650
as well as ingress and egress, which is also required as part of their conditions of approval,

144
00:09:52,650 --> 00:09:55,090
making sure that there is appropriate emergency exits

145
00:09:55,090 --> 00:09:57,670
and facilitating the means to do so

146
00:09:57,670 --> 00:09:58,910
by way of tenant improvements.

147
00:10:00,250 --> 00:10:02,890
And lastly, the proposed business shall operate

148
00:10:02,890 --> 00:10:05,050
in substantial conformance with this use permit application,

149
00:10:05,230 --> 00:10:06,810
including the floor plan submitted,

150
00:10:06,910 --> 00:10:08,570
which was on June 18th, 2025.

151
00:10:10,550 --> 00:10:13,530
The project, the proposed uses would occupy

152
00:10:13,530 --> 00:10:15,390
an existing multi-tenant commercial building

153
00:10:15,390 --> 00:10:17,430
with no expansion of the building footprint

154
00:10:17,430 --> 00:10:19,350
or change intensity of land use.

155
00:10:19,830 --> 00:10:20,750
And for that reason,

156
00:10:20,750 --> 00:10:25,990
the project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA and that is

157
00:10:25,990 --> 00:10:27,930
guideline 15301.

158
00:10:30,260 --> 00:10:33,580
And here I wanted to highlight some of the proposed project

159
00:10:33,580 --> 00:10:39,960
improvements. This slide shows the project frontage on Cumberland Street. It is

160
00:10:39,960 --> 00:10:44,040
showing some exterior improvements including building awning and with new

161
00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:48,520
signage, new sighting, a mural installed on the large blank visible wall from

162
00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:54,180
Cumberland Street. And overall, this image and the images on the following two slides,

163
00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:58,660
while conceptual, they do paint a picture of vibrancy and investment in Old Town.

164
00:11:02,690 --> 00:11:02,970
Here

165
00:11:02,970 --> 00:11:08,190
is another image of project frontage improvements. As you can see, the wooden siding, new landscaping,

166
00:11:08,710 --> 00:11:11,750
bicycle rack installation, planter box.

167
00:11:16,470 --> 00:11:18,310
Here's one more view off Cumberland Street.

168
00:11:19,050 --> 00:11:25,430
Just the facade improvement there at 640 with the garage door kind of providing different

169
00:11:25,430 --> 00:11:26,390
type of facade.

170
00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:34,100
Approval of this project would result in the occupancy of a currently vacant

171
00:11:34,100 --> 00:11:40,400
and underutilized commercial tenant space within downtown commercial core, thereby contributing

172
00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:44,140
to the area's overall economic vitality and pedestrian activation.

173
00:11:49,270 --> 00:11:50,190
And as such, staff

174
00:11:50,190 --> 00:11:53,790
recommends that the City Council uphold the appeal and adopt the proposed resolution

175
00:11:53,790 --> 00:11:59,590
approving use permit application number 25-0054 for Baby Yell Academy and City of the Lords

176
00:11:59,590 --> 00:12:05,790
San Cumberland subject to conditions. And with that conclusion, again, I would like to outline

177
00:12:05,790 --> 00:12:09,910
the procedures for tonight's hearing. They are here on the screen. I'll let you take a moment

178
00:12:09,910 --> 00:12:14,450
to review them. If you'd like to, the applicant is here this evening and can answer any questions

179
00:12:14,450 --> 00:12:18,130
you may have for them. Staff is also available and can answer any questions you may have for

180
00:12:18,130 --> 00:12:22,210
us. And I did want to mention that we did receive one late comment letter. We received

181
00:12:22,210 --> 00:12:27,650
it today. It is included on your, right in front of you in front of your papers,

182
00:12:27,650 --> 00:12:31,470
as well as on the day as for anybody who would like to review a copy.

183
00:12:32,110 --> 00:12:36,790
Staff has reviewed that comment letter and is still providing the same

184
00:12:36,790 --> 00:12:41,790
recommendation as noted here in the presentation as well as in the proposed resolution.

185
00:12:42,370 --> 00:12:42,850
Thank you.

186
00:12:45,380 --> 00:12:46,820
Thank you for the presentation.

187
00:12:47,680 --> 00:12:52,160
And so before opening up the public hearing on this item,

188
00:12:52,900 --> 00:12:57,200
do any of my colleagues have any questions for staff on this item?

189
00:12:57,580 --> 00:12:57,880
Vice Mayor.

190
00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:00,940
Thank you through the mayor. I do have a couple of questions.

191
00:13:02,980 --> 00:13:05,320
Are these three separate businesses

192
00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:13,200
or is it part of the church that's being proposed? Through the mayor there would be three separate

193
00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:17,380
or there's two separate business licenses that have been applied for but they are all

194
00:13:17,380 --> 00:13:20,760
under the same applicant and they can speak more. I believe that they're all part of the

195
00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:26,000
same church but they could speak a little bit more about the way that that works. Okay.

196
00:13:27,880 --> 00:13:29,020
have a couple more questions.

197
00:13:31,260 --> 00:13:33,720
I don't know, do you want to take time to have that question

198
00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:35,600
answered or do you want me to just go through my questions?

199
00:13:38,770 --> 00:13:43,810
Madam Vice Mayor, it's really the Council's call. If they would like to invite the applicant

200
00:13:43,810 --> 00:13:49,610
up and ask these questions directly, they can. Normally what we do is hold these questions.

201
00:13:49,870 --> 00:13:53,690
The applicant is here and listened and can come up and as part of their presentation

202
00:13:53,690 --> 00:13:57,810
address these. But as Kelsey mentioned, we understand that these will be operated

203
00:13:57,810 --> 00:14:04,190
as separate businesses, although there may be some interaction between the multiple businesses.

204
00:14:04,650 --> 00:14:14,150
Okay, that's helpful. We can do the latter of what you described. I had a question around the staffing,

205
00:14:14,710 --> 00:14:20,010
like how many people are going to work there, and is this going to create jobs in our community,

206
00:14:21,990 --> 00:14:23,250
and then the parking.

207
00:14:24,310 --> 00:14:29,690
So through the mayor, thank you for the questions. So as part of the, as part of all projects

208
00:14:29,690 --> 00:14:35,190
within the downtown commercial core pedestrian commercial zoning district, those types, those

209
00:14:35,190 --> 00:14:40,050
projects within that area of Pittsburgh do not require any off street parking, meaning

210
00:14:40,050 --> 00:14:44,870
they don't require any parking to be provided for that proposed use the applicants proposal

211
00:14:45,630 --> 00:14:50,370
and is to use utilize street parking and to also utilize city owned parking facilities

212
00:14:50,370 --> 00:14:57,510
to accommodate their uses. That includes all three different uses. And the proposed employees,

213
00:14:58,390 --> 00:14:59,970
the applicant can speak to how many employees.

214
00:15:01,900 --> 00:15:09,840
I do believe that they are also employed as part of this operation, but they would be more knowledgeable of how many total for all three uses.

215
00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:17,560
Okay. And then one last comment. One, thank you for like walking us through how we got to this place is really helpful.

216
00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:26,380
But I do appreciate this particular application because when COVID happened, we had a lot of childcare providers that closed shop.

217
00:15:26,380 --> 00:15:32,780
And so I know there's some statewide and regional initiatives to help folks provide child care to folks. So

218
00:15:33,520 --> 00:15:36,400
women in particular took quite a hit in that

219
00:15:36,400 --> 00:15:40,420
They quit their jobs to be home taking care of their kids

220
00:15:40,420 --> 00:15:44,860
And so something like this in our community would be helpful to those who want to go to work

221
00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:47,560
And have a safe place for their kids

222
00:15:48,810 --> 00:15:49,930
Thank you.

223
00:15:52,070 --> 00:15:54,690
Any other questions councilor covado?

224
00:15:56,210 --> 00:16:05,190
Hi, thank you for that report. I have a couple of questions. For the fire code, there are

225
00:16:05,190 --> 00:16:06,130
sprinklers in that building?

226
00:16:07,050 --> 00:16:10,470
Through the mayor, there are no, there are not sprinklers there currently. The project

227
00:16:10,470 --> 00:16:16,290
has been conditioned through the fire department. If they do plan to move forward as they

228
00:16:16,290 --> 00:16:19,490
do, as they would like to, they would be required to install fire sprinklers.

229
00:16:19,490 --> 00:16:26,510
Okay. Also, thank you. And also, can you please point out to me the escape routes for that, the building?

230
00:16:27,170 --> 00:16:33,290
So, through the mayor once more, there are currently only one entry and exit to each tenant space.

231
00:16:33,930 --> 00:16:42,490
As part of the tenant improvements in order to establish each use, they would be required to install fire, health, life and safety accommodations,

232
00:16:42,490 --> 00:16:48,330
accommodations, which includes an additional exit point from all three tenant spaces.

233
00:16:48,790 --> 00:16:52,630
And that would be a requirement as part of their tenant improvement plans, that applicant

234
00:16:52,630 --> 00:16:55,570
when they have the ability to speak, they may or may not have those plans in place of

235
00:16:55,570 --> 00:16:59,610
their proposed plans, but that would be as part of the building permit leader review

236
00:16:59,610 --> 00:17:00,950
to make sure that there was adequate.

237
00:17:01,890 --> 00:17:02,410
Thank you.

238
00:17:05,310 --> 00:17:11,130
Also, how close can they be to sales of liquor, and would that affect any new

239
00:17:11,130 --> 00:17:15,950
businesses that want to come in and and sell liquor, because I believe on the

240
00:17:15,950 --> 00:17:23,310
backside of, I call it the boxing gym, next door to the business that's on the

241
00:17:23,310 --> 00:17:28,630
backside of it, there's a grocery store that sells liquor. Yes, so thank you for

242
00:17:28,630 --> 00:17:32,570
the question. There we adopted the creating healthy communities ordinance

243
00:17:32,570 --> 00:17:36,550
which regulates the sale of tobacco alcohol and cannabis in the city and

244
00:17:36,550 --> 00:17:39,750
air and properties that are within the downtown commercial core are not

245
00:17:39,750 --> 00:17:44,110
subject to the proximity requirements. Okay. As other areas in the city would be.

246
00:17:45,390 --> 00:17:50,770
Okay. Also, I didn't catch how many employees will you be having or should be having? The applicant,

247
00:17:50,870 --> 00:17:54,570
I think, can attest further. I believe it's like, I believe it's six for the daycare facility,

248
00:17:54,650 --> 00:18:00,390
but I'll allow the applicant to speak to that. Thank you. Also, one more question.

249
00:18:01,350 --> 00:18:07,190
Is there an outdoor play area or going to be one or did I miss that? So the applicant can

250
00:18:07,190 --> 00:18:12,710
speak to the requirements from the State Licensing Board for the accommodations for

251
00:18:12,710 --> 00:18:16,990
playground facilities. They will be using playgrounds in the facility in order to accommodate

252
00:18:16,990 --> 00:18:21,910
outdoor space, but the applicant has also proposed an indoor play area with a play structure

253
00:18:21,910 --> 00:18:25,990
in order to ensure that they still are meeting the state requirements.

254
00:18:27,110 --> 00:18:27,390
Thank you.

255
00:18:28,030 --> 00:18:32,190
And Council Member Cabada, I do want to interject something that I think is pretty

256
00:18:32,190 --> 00:18:35,530
pertinent. It came up during the Planning Commission meeting, but I think your questions

257
00:18:35,530 --> 00:18:42,870
illustrate a really critical point of this type of application. This is a

258
00:18:42,870 --> 00:18:47,450
property that we have tried to work with the property owner to market for my

259
00:18:47,450 --> 00:18:51,390
entire career with the City of Pittsburgh going on 11 years now and it's been

260
00:18:51,390 --> 00:18:56,910
tough because a lot of small retail shops and that type of thing can't

261
00:18:56,910 --> 00:19:00,610
afford to put in the fire sprinklers that are necessary,

262
00:19:03,890 --> 00:19:04,990
the emergency

263
00:19:04,990 --> 00:19:09,850
on video, receive some pushback on these types of applications with folks that are pushing us

264
00:19:09,850 --> 00:19:15,030
to bring in more restaurant retail uses to the downtown. And while we totally concur that,

265
00:19:15,090 --> 00:19:20,370
ultimately, we would like to see more of those downtown, having folks that are willing to invest

266
00:19:20,370 --> 00:19:26,530
in some of these properties is really critical. And we hope Ms. Reeves and her uses are incredibly

267
00:19:26,530 --> 00:19:30,930
successful. They may be so successful that they need to seek larger spaces elsewhere,

268
00:19:30,930 --> 00:19:35,790
but they're going to leave behind a building that has been further improved, that somebody

269
00:19:35,790 --> 00:19:42,470
who may be on a much tighter budget that doesn't have the economic certainty that something

270
00:19:42,470 --> 00:19:48,330
like a daycare may have, because there are, as the vice mayor mentioned, so many families

271
00:19:48,330 --> 00:19:54,350
that do need childcare, and there is such a lack of childcare in the city, but allowing

272
00:19:54,350 --> 00:19:59,310
these uses to come in to occupy these vacant spaces, to improve them, both interior

273
00:19:59,310 --> 00:20:04,730
and exterior to activate the streetscape to bring more people. That's how we continue

274
00:20:04,730 --> 00:20:10,210
to get reinvestment in downtown. And that is a significant part of staff's consideration

275
00:20:10,210 --> 00:20:14,790
when we bring these applications forward. Thank you for those additional comments.

276
00:20:17,930 --> 00:20:19,650
Any additional questions at this time?

277
00:20:22,770 --> 00:20:26,750
Just for me, I did have a couple. I think

278
00:20:26,750 --> 00:20:33,510
your context may have answered a couple of questions because I think that there is a lot

279
00:20:33,510 --> 00:20:41,910
of conversation that we're having around the downtown district and what is it that we're

280
00:20:41,910 --> 00:20:49,030
looking at becoming. So I'm trying to reserve the comments and just get to the question.

281
00:20:49,030 --> 00:20:58,090
So, when we think of vibrant destination, catering to pedestrian shoppers, visitors

282
00:20:58,090 --> 00:21:02,790
in the downtown commercial core, is this what we have imagined?

283
00:21:03,190 --> 00:21:08,910
And to your point, that's why I'm trying to step back in understanding your thought

284
00:21:08,910 --> 00:21:11,950
around the investment into buildings, interior and exterior.

285
00:21:11,950 --> 00:21:19,470
But as we're grappling with use permits and the type of uses we're looking into the downtown

286
00:21:19,470 --> 00:21:25,230
commercial area, is this the vision, is this consistent with the vision that we're trying

287
00:21:25,230 --> 00:21:28,410
to paint around entertainment, dining, shopping?

288
00:21:30,990 --> 00:21:33,310
The short and blunt answer is no.

289
00:21:33,830 --> 00:21:40,330
I mean, when we put together these vision boards of the uses we want to see, it is

290
00:21:40,890 --> 00:21:47,570
restaurants, it's retail, it is that entertainment component. However, one of the major challenges

291
00:21:47,570 --> 00:21:55,690
we have is a lack of funds to invest into private-owned parcels. And also, that's not

292
00:21:55,690 --> 00:21:59,810
always the best idea. The city has done that, and we will probably continue to do

293
00:21:59,810 --> 00:22:05,110
that when appropriate. But there are these areas that are challenged. If this were

294
00:22:05,110 --> 00:22:08,890
on Railroad Avenue, this might be a different story. But the fact that this is the

295
00:22:08,890 --> 00:22:12,330
side that faces Cumberland that doesn't receive a lot of foot traffic.

296
00:22:13,430 --> 00:22:15,870
It's hard to get folks to invest in these buildings.

297
00:22:16,330 --> 00:22:21,430
So again, when you're talking tens of thousands of dollars, even potentially pushing six figures

298
00:22:21,430 --> 00:22:29,490
of investment into the spaces in order to make them safe, that's something that a

299
00:22:29,490 --> 00:22:34,710
person that wants to take a chance on a business and open up a clothing shop does

300
00:22:34,710 --> 00:22:36,570
not have the ability to do.

301
00:22:36,570 --> 00:22:40,170
It's tough to get that loan from a bank because there's so much uncertainty.

302
00:22:40,770 --> 00:22:45,750
Restaurants are really difficult and putting in a kitchen is expensive enough itself to

303
00:22:45,750 --> 00:22:51,930
have these incremental steps and be able to get this reinvestment, again, is something

304
00:22:51,930 --> 00:22:53,490
that we are constantly seeking.

305
00:22:53,690 --> 00:22:57,850
We're constantly asking property owners and prospective tenants to come in and invest.

306
00:22:59,010 --> 00:23:05,610
So again, were this on Railroad Avenue, would it potentially be a challenge to make these

307
00:23:05,610 --> 00:23:12,570
findings due to the nature of Railroad Avenue? Yes. Parking? Yes. The safety of the children

308
00:23:12,570 --> 00:23:17,070
and parents who are coming in and out of that facility? Yes. But the fact that it's on Cumberland,

309
00:23:17,150 --> 00:23:23,590
it's a little bit slower, allows us to make a distinction and support bringing that business

310
00:23:23,590 --> 00:23:30,650
in because ultimately what we're hoping is that a parent, grandparent, caretaker

311
00:23:31,130 --> 00:23:35,830
who's in a rush to get that child out the door and get them to daycare and doesn't

312
00:23:35,830 --> 00:23:39,430
have a chance to get their coffee, it's going to drop them off and then stop at

313
00:23:39,430 --> 00:23:49,690
Stealtown or they're going to be able to take that child to daycare and then go

314
00:23:49,690 --> 00:23:53,830
to lumpies and have breakfast or after church they'll be able to go to lumpies

315
00:23:53,830 --> 00:23:59,050
and have breakfast. If we could just pick and choose everything with all

316
00:23:59,050 --> 00:24:04,010
respect to Ms. Reeves would these be the three uses we would pick? Maybe not, but as we continue

317
00:24:04,010 --> 00:24:08,990
just to look for ways to get more people down there to support the businesses we have, we think

318
00:24:08,990 --> 00:24:14,810
that this is a positive step in that direction layered with the investment in the building

319
00:24:14,810 --> 00:24:21,010
and the opportunity to make that block an area that's not vacant that is encouraging to walk

320
00:24:21,010 --> 00:24:26,370
down to go from steel town around the back and continue to the future headlands or to

321
00:24:26,370 --> 00:24:33,030
the museum. We think that this is something that supports that. Thank you. And my next question

322
00:24:34,050 --> 00:24:40,190
deals more in terms of what is listed here in terms of business operation times. So it

323
00:24:40,190 --> 00:24:46,950
states that the daycare is 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The church is 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but then it also

324
00:24:46,950 --> 00:24:53,530
states that it won't conflict in terms of that. So I'm trying to, I guess, reconcile if

325
00:24:53,530 --> 00:24:59,430
the church can't conflict with the daycare, why wouldn't it just be after 6 p.m. or weekends

326
00:24:59,430 --> 00:25:01,910
as opposed to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

327
00:25:02,070 --> 00:25:07,670
Thank you for the question, Mayor. The business operator for both the church and the daycare

328
00:25:07,670 --> 00:25:11,690
is the same person, and so they have provided a staff as part of their business description

329
00:25:11,690 --> 00:25:16,530
that they don't anticipate or they don't plan to have some events at the same time

330
00:25:16,530 --> 00:25:22,090
in order to prevent any sort of conflicting issues between the tenant spaces. The entitlement

331
00:25:22,090 --> 00:25:27,150
is requesting the ability for each tenant space to be able to operate between those hours of

332
00:25:27,150 --> 00:25:32,550
operation and so so as to not prevent one from operating without the other we are allowing

333
00:25:32,550 --> 00:25:38,190
both of them to operate at the same time. But again because the applicant is operating both

334
00:25:38,190 --> 00:25:43,910
and managing both they don't plan to have events at the same time. I don't know if that

335
00:25:43,910 --> 00:25:45,270
makes sense. One more time.

336
00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:51,900
We didn't want to restrict the entitlement for the church

337
00:25:51,900 --> 00:25:53,960
to only operate in the evening hours,

338
00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:56,920
whereas some days they may have like a daytime event,

339
00:25:57,120 --> 00:25:59,560
maybe potentially when the daycare facility is closed

340
00:25:59,560 --> 00:26:03,220
or when the daycare facility has other arrangements

341
00:26:03,220 --> 00:26:04,600
for where their students may be.

342
00:26:05,180 --> 00:26:06,880
So we wanted to allow both entitlements

343
00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:10,200
to operate within their proposed hours operation.

344
00:26:10,760 --> 00:26:12,580
If I can maybe step in again here.

345
00:26:13,220 --> 00:26:14,680
What our major concern is,

346
00:26:14,700 --> 00:26:17,500
is not that we have folks in the different spaces

347
00:26:17,500 --> 00:26:18,460
at the same time,

348
00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:20,440
it's that we don't create traffic problems

349
00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:26,180
and parking problems. So what we're looking to do with these conditions is allow them to operate

350
00:26:26,180 --> 00:26:33,460
but to ensure that their schedules if they have drop-off for the child care from 7 to 8 a.m. that

351
00:26:33,460 --> 00:26:39,960
they don't schedule a service until 8 30 when they have folks able to clear out or if pickup is from

352
00:26:39,960 --> 00:26:45,320
2 to 3 that they don't have a service going on at that time where somebody may block parking.

353
00:26:45,320 --> 00:26:50,360
It's those types of scheduling things that we want to make sure that we're avoiding.

354
00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:55,860
What we really don't want to do is create a parking issue, create too much of a traffic

355
00:26:55,860 --> 00:27:00,820
issue or create a conflict where you've got, especially when you're dealing with children,

356
00:27:01,260 --> 00:27:03,900
unknown folks coming and going at different times.

357
00:27:03,980 --> 00:27:07,760
So we want to make sure we're ensuring public safety as much as possible, not necessarily

358
00:27:07,760 --> 00:27:08,940
limiting hours.

359
00:27:12,790 --> 00:27:17,430
So if there aren't any questions for my colleagues at this time, we'll go ahead and open

360
00:27:17,430 --> 00:27:25,470
the public hearing. And we'll first call forward the appellant. As staff has indicated, the appellant

361
00:27:25,470 --> 00:27:30,530
will speak first and have five minutes to speak. Once the appellant finishes speaking, all other

362
00:27:30,530 --> 00:27:35,610
members of the public wishing to speak will be permitted and limited for up to three minutes.

363
00:27:36,450 --> 00:27:40,410
Once the public has completed speaking, the app, the appellant will be permitted

364
00:27:40,890 --> 00:27:46,070
to speak should they choose to do so for a maximum of up to 10 minutes. So at this time

365
00:27:46,070 --> 00:27:50,170
will the appellate please come forward for the opportunity to speak.

366
00:27:53,520 --> 00:27:56,220
Good evening. So my name

367
00:27:56,220 --> 00:28:04,980
is Lita Reeves and I am the CEO and the founder of Baby Yell Academy, Inc. We currently have six

368
00:28:05,640 --> 00:28:15,360
centers located one in Oakland, three in Brentwood, one in Bay Point, one in Pittsburgh already,

369
00:28:15,360 --> 00:28:23,300
and we have two more opening, barely soon one in Antioch and of course Cumberland.

370
00:28:24,260 --> 00:28:32,160
And thank you so much for allowing me to present this appeal to you.

371
00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:44,360
It's very important to me to provide a very positive and successful business in this area.

372
00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:59,060
There are not a lot of centers in the city of Pittsburgh, and the type of operation that I run is very tight, very structured.

373
00:28:59,780 --> 00:29:08,900
And as one of you mentioned earlier about when COVID happened, how the centers were kind of like the backbone.

374
00:29:08,900 --> 00:29:15,860
We remained open the entire time and what was interesting about that is that we

375
00:29:15,860 --> 00:29:23,460
provided care for even the school-aged children that the teachers were off and

376
00:29:23,460 --> 00:29:28,740
what we did is we provided computers for the teachers to be able to teach the

377
00:29:28,740 --> 00:29:38,000
student who came to our daycare. So we remain open the entire time and and I'm

378
00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:43,780
I'm very proud of that moment because we provided a service for the children.

379
00:29:44,600 --> 00:29:52,520
I'm sorry, I'm a little, I get very emotional about it because I really do care about the

380
00:29:52,520 --> 00:29:59,460
children and we really do select places that we can make a difference, even though our

381
00:29:59,460 --> 00:29:59,720
goal.

382
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:08,900
It is to be the premier center of child care and learning. We also provide care for those

383
00:30:09,400 --> 00:30:18,160
parents who may not have a large amount of money. So we provide for low income as well

384
00:30:18,540 --> 00:30:26,900
as private payers. And I'm also proud of that. And as a pastor myself, that's why she said

385
00:30:26,900 --> 00:30:34,080
that I will be managing all three of those buildings.

386
00:30:35,640 --> 00:30:43,700
And so with a lot of our centers, we do have a church attached to the center that we are

387
00:30:43,700 --> 00:30:48,660
at because we like to provide for the entire community.

388
00:30:49,380 --> 00:30:52,120
So we do a lot of things with our church.

389
00:30:52,120 --> 00:31:02,100
much. And so I'm excited about that piece to bring that piece to the downtown area. Our

390
00:31:02,100 --> 00:31:12,540
center will be located in a very strong residential area. And most of the businesses that I have,

391
00:31:13,120 --> 00:31:20,720
the parents do support the local businesses. When they pick their children up, they may

392
00:31:20,720 --> 00:31:26,100
They may take them to the movies, they may take them out to dinner, all of those things.

393
00:31:26,280 --> 00:31:32,940
So they do support the businesses that are around our business.

394
00:31:33,820 --> 00:31:41,920
And sometimes we provide like a night out for the parents to be able to do that and we

395
00:31:41,920 --> 00:31:48,100
keep their children for free so that they support the area in which our business

396
00:31:48,100 --> 00:31:49,180
is located.

397
00:31:49,180 --> 00:31:59,520
it. And that is important to me as well. So I do a lot of things. My passion clearly is

398
00:31:59,520 --> 00:32:07,260
that of serving as a pastor, working in the community, trying to provide a better life

399
00:32:07,560 --> 00:32:14,380
for the children. We provide scholarships for children who cannot afford our services

400
00:32:14,380 --> 00:32:23,380
because we do a lot for the children and most of the children that start with us

401
00:32:23,380 --> 00:32:32,160
at zero months they never leave. We start we have a transportation program where

402
00:32:32,160 --> 00:32:38,340
we take children to the public school and bring them back to our school and they

403
00:32:38,340 --> 00:32:44,660
they have to age out of our program for them to leap because they love it, they

404
00:32:44,660 --> 00:32:52,160
love the staff, the staff loves them. I don't know where I am on my time, but 17

405
00:32:52,160 --> 00:33:00,960
seconds. How many? Oh, okay. They actually did a wonderful job of presenting, so I'd

406
00:33:00,960 --> 00:33:03,620
be happy to take any questions that you have.

407
00:33:06,430 --> 00:33:08,950
Thank you. I know we did have

408
00:33:08,950 --> 00:33:13,450
couple questions from council members. You want to go ahead and ask your questions for the applicant?

409
00:33:13,890 --> 00:33:24,650
Yeah, I had a question around how many jobs, how many jobs will your center be providing in our

410
00:33:24,650 --> 00:33:37,290
community? Currently we have over 65 employees for all of our subsidiary companies. It just

411
00:33:37,290 --> 00:33:42,890
This depends on how many children that we have.

412
00:33:43,310 --> 00:33:47,110
So we follow what the state licensing says.

413
00:33:47,570 --> 00:33:49,030
We're actually under it.

414
00:33:49,570 --> 00:33:54,690
We typically have a teacher for eight preschool children.

415
00:33:55,430 --> 00:33:58,910
So for every eight children, there's a teacher.

416
00:33:59,650 --> 00:34:05,790
For every two-year-old, there's a teacher for every six children.

417
00:34:05,790 --> 00:34:14,750
So, it depends on how quickly we reach our capacity, but we tend to have more staff than

418
00:34:14,750 --> 00:34:20,090
what is required because of the level of service that we like to provide.

419
00:34:20,890 --> 00:34:22,270
I have a follow-up question.

420
00:34:22,430 --> 00:34:26,530
I don't know if it was in here, but what is your capacity of children that you can

421
00:34:26,530 --> 00:34:28,370
have in the location?

422
00:34:28,370 --> 00:34:38,790
So licensing says that for every 35 square feet, the child, we have to have, for every

423
00:34:38,790 --> 00:34:41,230
child, they have to have 35 square feet.

424
00:34:41,650 --> 00:34:44,930
So it depends on the building size.

425
00:34:45,610 --> 00:34:49,770
Some of my centers are very large, over 150 children.

426
00:34:50,390 --> 00:34:53,570
Capacity and some are very small, 28 capacity.

427
00:34:53,570 --> 00:35:00,290
So they actually determine what the capacity is when they come out and they measure.

428
00:35:02,650 --> 00:35:09,030
And so that's, but my goal, I think I said 80.

429
00:35:10,610 --> 00:35:11,290
Okay.

430
00:35:11,970 --> 00:35:13,210
We can work with staff.

431
00:35:13,370 --> 00:35:16,230
They can probably do the math and help us with the measurements.

432
00:35:16,590 --> 00:35:16,830
Thank you.

433
00:35:17,470 --> 00:35:18,810
Yes, 80.

434
00:35:24,210 --> 00:35:25,510
Any other questions?

435
00:35:27,510 --> 00:35:30,410
Did you have an additional question for the applicant?

436
00:35:31,150 --> 00:35:32,570
Okay, thank you.

437
00:35:32,830 --> 00:35:34,450
I saw the questions for right now.

438
00:35:35,070 --> 00:35:37,930
Madam Clerk, do we have any other public comments?

439
00:35:38,410 --> 00:35:39,230
Wolfgang Kroski.

440
00:35:44,600 --> 00:35:45,300
Good evening, Council.

441
00:35:45,720 --> 00:35:51,640
I think the issue here isn't so much the business or the business owner being on trial.

442
00:35:51,840 --> 00:35:52,620
It's just the location.

443
00:35:53,480 --> 00:35:57,180
You know, these children are not going to have any outdoor place to play in.

444
00:35:57,180 --> 00:36:02,140
You know if there if this is a daycare last time this was presented it wasn't a daycare

445
00:36:02,140 --> 00:36:07,320
But regardless the children need to have a place to play even under state law

446
00:36:07,320 --> 00:36:11,080
There's requirements on that even depending on the type of view. So

447
00:36:11,680 --> 00:36:15,920
Seeing issued there when we had the boxing gym again, not so much

448
00:36:16,680 --> 00:36:18,800
Dis on the business or the business owner

449
00:36:18,800 --> 00:36:22,780
Just they had to use the outside area to accommodate their needs

450
00:36:22,780 --> 00:36:24,960
They had kids running laps around the block.

451
00:36:25,620 --> 00:36:28,180
A lot of programs use John Buckley Park, which is great.

452
00:36:28,380 --> 00:36:29,460
That's what a park is for.

453
00:36:29,840 --> 00:36:32,020
But it kind of creates an issue when you're looking

454
00:36:32,020 --> 00:36:35,100
at a business district and how it interfaces with traffic.

455
00:36:35,540 --> 00:36:37,600
And as people are coming and going from businesses,

456
00:36:37,800 --> 00:36:38,920
we have people running laps.

457
00:36:39,180 --> 00:36:41,120
I don't know if they're running laps in this.

458
00:36:41,200 --> 00:36:44,440
But just as an example, when we try to take a use,

459
00:36:45,560 --> 00:36:48,100
Rampag in the square hall doesn't always fit.

460
00:36:48,280 --> 00:36:51,000
So I think the program itself is great.

461
00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:55,360
done a lot of research on it and no problems with that. I just think that this particular

462
00:36:55,360 --> 00:37:01,260
location is not conducive. I realize major investments gone into this property and it's

463
00:37:01,260 --> 00:37:06,160
nice seeing private investments, especially in locations that have been harder to fill.

464
00:37:06,640 --> 00:37:13,160
But when we start to reduce our standards and say, well, we can't get what we want,

465
00:37:13,200 --> 00:37:18,020
so let's put something else in there, we're kind of giving up on a plan. And so the decision

466
00:37:18,020 --> 00:37:22,300
on this is really going to set a precedence whether we stick to what has already been established

467
00:37:22,300 --> 00:37:28,820
for the old town or if we're totally changing course on that. And what are we doing then,

468
00:37:29,260 --> 00:37:32,780
you know, does that mean anybody can just come in and as long as they invest money,

469
00:37:32,940 --> 00:37:35,680
they don't necessarily have to go through the right process and they can open up

470
00:37:36,220 --> 00:37:39,480
or, you know, where do we go from there? So I don't think it's a matter of,

471
00:37:39,720 --> 00:37:44,500
is this the operator or the business a good or a bad thing? I think it's a great thing.

472
00:37:44,500 --> 00:37:50,140
It's just the particular location is, in my opinion, not the best fit for that particular

473
00:37:50,140 --> 00:37:50,460
use.

474
00:37:50,640 --> 00:37:57,380
We do have traffic, but most importantly, it's just the wrong type of area.

475
00:37:58,040 --> 00:38:02,140
I don't know as far as, will these parents patronize some of the businesses?

476
00:38:02,500 --> 00:38:03,720
You could argue that both way.

477
00:38:03,820 --> 00:38:08,320
I don't think there's any data that would support one case better than the other.

478
00:38:08,620 --> 00:38:13,300
So I would, you know, take that off of the table by just look at the location where

479
00:38:13,300 --> 00:38:17,360
kids going to play, where they're going to go for fresh air, where they're going to do

480
00:38:17,360 --> 00:38:22,800
things outside of just being inside of the property the whole time, whether it's for

481
00:38:22,800 --> 00:38:26,700
the younger kids that are there all day waiting to be picked up from their parents at work

482
00:38:26,700 --> 00:38:32,220
or even when they're brought for an after school program, where are those kids going

483
00:38:32,220 --> 00:38:34,740
to go to get some fresh air?

484
00:38:35,000 --> 00:38:40,400
So it would be great to see more of these programs in the Pittsburgh because there definitely

485
00:38:40,400 --> 00:38:41,000
is a need.

486
00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:47,160
It's just I don't believe that this particular location is the best fit nor is old town. Thank you

487
00:38:56,660 --> 00:38:57,380
No more speakers

488
00:38:58,740 --> 00:39:01,700
Right with the appellate

489
00:39:03,520 --> 00:39:06,720
Like to make any further comments before we close the public hearing

490
00:39:06,720 --> 00:39:14,530
Thank you for allowing me to speak on some of the issues that you brought up

491
00:39:15,270 --> 00:39:15,910
so

492
00:39:18,360 --> 00:39:22,340
we definitely have gone through the process of

493
00:39:22,680 --> 00:39:34,420
understanding what is required through the City of Pittsburgh, through the community care licensing, we never take a step that we know that we won't be approved on.

494
00:39:35,520 --> 00:39:41,200
We can have indoor play centers.

495
00:39:42,040 --> 00:39:46,860
I've almost bought several centers that had that and only that.

496
00:39:46,860 --> 00:40:12,580
So that is not an issue and can actually be removed from consideration because the only requirement that we need is that if we have, depending on for the space, they need 75 square feet per child.

497
00:40:12,580 --> 00:40:19,720
That's the only requirement that they have whether it's indoor or outdoors. It does not make a difference

498
00:40:20,390 --> 00:40:26,060
Sometimes what they do is they limit the hours that the children can attend the center

499
00:40:26,060 --> 00:40:30,640
So it might be four hours per day for the child

500
00:40:31,440 --> 00:40:34,900
Though sometimes that's not a requirement

501
00:40:36,440 --> 00:40:41,080
So the playground can definitely be removed in terms of the traffic

502
00:40:41,080 --> 00:40:49,940
that is no longer an issue may have been years ago. I've been at the center all

503
00:40:49,940 --> 00:40:56,260
hours of the day just to track to see what the traffic is like and maybe it was

504
00:40:56,260 --> 00:41:01,460
like that when some of the businesses were there prior to but it's not like

505
00:41:01,460 --> 00:41:06,460
that anymore. I've gone in the early mornings, I've gone late at night, I've

506
00:41:06,460 --> 00:41:13,320
on early mornings, like 2 a.m., 3 a.m., and there is no traffic.

507
00:41:13,780 --> 00:41:21,420
But in terms of how the business operate, none of the parents are there more than five minutes

508
00:41:21,420 --> 00:41:22,860
because they have to go to work.

509
00:41:23,240 --> 00:41:28,420
They may talk to the teacher to find out, you know, about their child when they pick

510
00:41:28,420 --> 00:41:31,780
up how their day was, but then they're in and out.

511
00:41:31,780 --> 00:41:38,080
And so it's not like there's going to be a parking issue or a traffic issue.

512
00:41:40,200 --> 00:41:47,940
He said that there is no data that says that the parents won't patronize the other locations.

513
00:41:48,660 --> 00:41:51,660
Well, I would say there's no data to say that they won't.

514
00:41:52,020 --> 00:41:56,180
But from my experience at all my other centers, they do.

515
00:41:56,180 --> 00:42:03,500
And they do go to the businesses that are around our center.

516
00:42:04,120 --> 00:42:12,720
And then we also try to get a partnership with the different businesses that are around.

517
00:42:13,200 --> 00:42:20,780
And so we kind of work out Halloween time and all the different holidays where we try to work together.

518
00:42:20,780 --> 00:42:29,860
and like I said the night out it's specifically for the centers I think

519
00:42:29,860 --> 00:42:32,080
I've covered it all all

520
00:42:39,440 --> 00:42:42,560
right if there are no other public comments I will go

521
00:42:42,560 --> 00:42:48,100
ahead and close the public hearing and I'll now bring this back to my colleagues

522
00:42:48,100 --> 00:42:51,520
for deliberation on this item any

523
00:42:55,160 --> 00:42:58,240
comments or thoughts actually

524
00:43:06,600 --> 00:43:07,020
my

525
00:43:07,020 --> 00:43:11,420
My question is for the appellant, is there a possibility I can ask her one more question?

526
00:43:12,760 --> 00:43:13,040
Okay.

527
00:43:13,560 --> 00:43:14,260
Thank you.

528
00:43:14,460 --> 00:43:14,900
Sorry about that.

529
00:43:15,100 --> 00:43:15,460
No worries.

530
00:43:15,520 --> 00:43:15,720
Okay.

531
00:43:15,880 --> 00:43:18,860
So the age range is from 18 months to 12, correct?

532
00:43:19,580 --> 00:43:21,540
That is what it is currently.

533
00:43:22,080 --> 00:43:24,640
I, like I said, I have different centers.

534
00:43:25,040 --> 00:43:27,800
Some are zero through age 13.

535
00:43:28,260 --> 00:43:32,980
So it kind of just depends on what the need is in the area.

536
00:43:33,820 --> 00:43:39,980
Infants are always needed, but 18 months are generally their mobile.

537
00:43:40,520 --> 00:43:40,800
Okay.

538
00:43:40,920 --> 00:43:41,780
They can walk.

539
00:43:42,320 --> 00:43:48,100
So the question that I have in regards to that is you say that you're going to have

540
00:43:48,100 --> 00:43:48,980
an indoor play area.

541
00:43:50,320 --> 00:43:56,680
You have a vast amount of age, so will you be able to have something that's age-appropriate

542
00:43:56,680 --> 00:43:58,540
for each group of children?

543
00:43:58,840 --> 00:44:00,440
And do you have that space for it?

544
00:44:00,440 --> 00:44:03,840
What kind of, I'm concerned about the older kids,

545
00:44:04,100 --> 00:44:06,120
who you know, it's like 10, 12, nine, 10, 12.

546
00:44:08,540 --> 00:44:10,760
They're energetic, they're gonna need to run around.

547
00:44:12,100 --> 00:44:14,800
What kind of play equipment will you be having?

548
00:44:15,680 --> 00:44:16,100
Just curiosity.

549
00:44:17,080 --> 00:44:19,860
There are different types of play structures

550
00:44:19,860 --> 00:44:24,800
that we could have from two to 12.

551
00:44:25,280 --> 00:44:26,920
So that's one structure.

552
00:44:27,240 --> 00:44:29,400
But we also set up different centers.

553
00:44:29,400 --> 00:44:46,740
So there's arts and crafts, there's music, there's different types of things that we can do that each age group, there's three programs, there's the toddler part, there's a preschool, and then there's the school age.

554
00:44:47,500 --> 00:44:55,240
And so, plus the, I don't have the picture up at the side where they are going to be, it's huge.

555
00:44:55,240 --> 00:44:59,460
And so, there's a lot of space.

556
00:45:03,220 --> 00:45:09,120
Okay. Because usually kids around that age, I remember when I was that age, I'd have to run.

557
00:45:09,520 --> 00:45:17,460
I needed to run. And just scream and run and just let it loose, you know, just... So I was

558
00:45:17,460 --> 00:45:20,920
just wondering if the children would be able to have that opportunity to do so.

559
00:45:21,260 --> 00:45:27,240
Well, of course they won't be able to run like at some of my other centers, but the

560
00:45:27,240 --> 00:45:34,860
space is large enough for them to be able to participate in the different things that

561
00:45:34,860 --> 00:45:45,060
the teacher may determine is good for them. They will be scheduled which group will go

562
00:45:45,060 --> 00:45:52,000
into the play area. They may even stay in their area and participate, but it just

563
00:45:52,000 --> 00:45:57,720
depends on how the teacher has established their lesson plan okay thank

564
00:45:57,720 --> 00:46:10,690
you yeah yeah not a question but just a comment or well I'm curious do we have a

565
00:46:10,690 --> 00:46:16,990
read on how many daycares are actually downtown within the city and I say that

566
00:46:16,990 --> 00:46:23,450
because as a mom who appreciated having a daycare within a couple minutes of my

567
00:46:23,450 --> 00:46:24,830
home within a car?

568
00:46:27,050 --> 00:46:33,010
Would this alleviate, you know, a parent's ability to get daycare that's

569
00:46:33,010 --> 00:46:37,970
close to home if they live in that area? And so I'm curious to know how many are down there

570
00:46:38,690 --> 00:46:44,730
because it is a convenience. I would hate to cross the free way to take my kid to daycare.

571
00:46:46,350 --> 00:46:52,470
Great question, Vice Mayor Adams and through the mayor. So we knew coming into this,

572
00:46:52,470 --> 00:46:57,110
we're going to be questions in regards to operations for daycare and in the city itself.

573
00:46:57,410 --> 00:47:04,310
So about 25, 27 operations throughout the city in the downtown area, we kind of identify

574
00:47:04,310 --> 00:47:07,810
three within that downtown core.

575
00:47:08,290 --> 00:47:12,810
But you also remember you have the schools that are down there and you also have the

576
00:47:12,810 --> 00:47:18,210
other areas that comprise different childcare activities and centers.

577
00:47:18,210 --> 00:47:27,150
So specifically child care centers, there's about 25, 27 within the city and within that area. It's about three say between the railroad

578
00:47:27,150 --> 00:47:30,510
Or say Timstreet down to third

579
00:47:32,130 --> 00:47:41,470
Thank you for that because I know some of those after school programs get full and so we also went back and we did some data research in regards to

580
00:47:41,470 --> 00:47:45,210
some of the other licensing of facilities

581
00:47:45,210 --> 00:47:47,670
just to make sure we were doing our homework correctly.

582
00:47:47,970 --> 00:47:51,870
So the question came up in regards to outdoor play areas

583
00:47:51,870 --> 00:47:54,350
and where they can, there's exemptions

584
00:47:54,350 --> 00:47:58,590
and there's exceptions within the state licensing requirements

585
00:47:58,590 --> 00:48:01,590
for outdoor activity for different school age

586
00:48:01,590 --> 00:48:04,810
and children age activity for different childcare centers.

587
00:48:05,110 --> 00:48:09,230
So Ms. Reese is absolutely correct in regards

588
00:48:09,230 --> 00:48:15,310
there is provisions within there for exemptions, but we want to make sure that we were addressing

589
00:48:15,310 --> 00:48:19,810
what questions could come up. So we did our homework and restart just to make sure that

590
00:48:19,810 --> 00:48:25,570
what she's doing would be compatible and consistent with the general plan and also making sure

591
00:48:25,570 --> 00:48:30,070
that we did our homework in regards to the conditions of approval that she has to meet

592
00:48:30,070 --> 00:48:34,170
those before she can receive a certificate of occupancy for operations there.

593
00:48:34,330 --> 00:48:35,730
Okay. Thank you. That's helpful.

594
00:48:35,730 --> 00:48:43,670
council member lovers yes good evening I'll be pretty blunt I don't like the

595
00:48:43,670 --> 00:48:51,370
location and I know that you know there was a lot of comments behind you know I

596
00:48:52,010 --> 00:48:56,790
worry about parking control on any given weekend especially for the other uses

597
00:48:56,790 --> 00:49:02,710
that the center will have we have three breakfast spots within a block of each

598
00:49:02,710 --> 00:49:08,090
other you know sometimes in the weekends there there are issues in finding parking

599
00:49:08,090 --> 00:49:15,990
downtown and just like more patrons you know patronizing the center can attract

600
00:49:15,990 --> 00:49:21,890
more business to these places that we have it could also deter potential

601
00:49:21,890 --> 00:49:25,570
customers driving by downtown and not finding parking they're gonna they're

602
00:49:25,570 --> 00:49:28,690
gonna go home they're gonna drive back I personally do that if I can find

603
00:49:28,690 --> 00:49:32,630
parking within like a block away from where I'm going I turn my car around

604
00:49:32,630 --> 00:49:38,890
I leave, especially during winter and when it's raining, right? So those are issues that I have.

605
00:49:39,170 --> 00:49:47,190
I think the plan itself, it's great. I think it has been laid out perfectly fine. So I hear that

606
00:49:47,190 --> 00:49:54,010
and I appreciate the sentiment behind it. I also don't like that, you know, it's almost like we

607
00:49:54,010 --> 00:50:00,590
have this projected plan for downtown for specific businesses and then, you know, we're

608
00:50:00,590 --> 00:50:08,120
kind of away from that. However, we keep building new homes. With new homes come

609
00:50:08,120 --> 00:50:15,700
more families with small children, right? And there is a great need for daycare

610
00:50:15,700 --> 00:50:18,940
centers for the little people, right? We never really take their voices into

611
00:50:18,940 --> 00:50:22,900
account. We don't take parent voices into account. We have all these new

612
00:50:22,900 --> 00:50:26,600
developments coming into the city. We have new residents and we forget about

613
00:50:26,600 --> 00:50:31,940
the little people that need safe places to be left that will be, you

614
00:50:31,940 --> 00:50:36,800
The reason why I don't like the location itself is because it is true. It doesn't have outdoor play

615
00:50:36,800 --> 00:50:41,220
But in way now my options all the time, you know, I always look at the bigger picture

616
00:50:41,800 --> 00:50:46,620
And I always look at the supply and demand. Well, we have a big demand for daycare centers

617
00:50:46,620 --> 00:50:50,800
And we don't have a lot of daycare centers knocking on our doors trying to open up shop here

618
00:50:50,800 --> 00:50:56,640
That's the reality of things but here we have, you know, a business owner who has taken her time to

619
00:50:56,640 --> 00:50:59,300
to want to provide that service in our city.

620
00:50:59,860 --> 00:51:01,780
And so when I think about residents

621
00:51:01,780 --> 00:51:04,320
and I think about the little people needing a place,

622
00:51:06,640 --> 00:51:09,060
I am grateful for the presentation

623
00:51:09,060 --> 00:51:11,620
and I am grateful for the dedication

624
00:51:11,620 --> 00:51:14,040
and wanting to open up a safe space.

625
00:51:14,380 --> 00:51:17,160
I myself as a young child didn't have a safe space

626
00:51:17,160 --> 00:51:22,180
to go to when I was my preschool years or whatnot.

627
00:51:22,920 --> 00:51:25,420
So knowing that the little people are being cared of

628
00:51:25,420 --> 00:51:29,900
and they're going to safe centers, whether it be having a play structure inside or outdoors,

629
00:51:30,720 --> 00:51:35,760
you know, as long as it's a safe center, you know, when I look at the advantage of being

630
00:51:35,760 --> 00:51:40,880
here, I think of the Marina Center being two blocks away, there is a park down the street.

631
00:51:41,440 --> 00:51:46,820
So I hope that, you know, if this moves forward that it will be utilized and, you

632
00:51:46,820 --> 00:51:51,700
know, I would want to see some accountability with, you know, especially from eight years

633
00:51:51,700 --> 00:51:56,960
to 12, you know, having that segue between the date, the center to the Marina Center where

634
00:51:56,960 --> 00:52:04,960
there's actual sports happening all the time. So, you know, as a resident myself, hearing

635
00:52:04,960 --> 00:52:10,480
from residents and not having sufficient daycare centers to take their kits to, I, you know,

636
00:52:10,640 --> 00:52:15,040
I lean more towards, you know, wanting this to move forward. But keeping in mind that,

637
00:52:15,200 --> 00:52:20,280
you know, we are creating an issue ourselves because we keep having all these business

638
00:52:20,280 --> 00:52:25,120
ideas and new developments without taking into account the people whose voices never really get

639
00:52:25,120 --> 00:52:29,400
hurt, which is the kids. So, yes. Thank you.

640
00:52:35,100 --> 00:52:38,140
All right. So, as we're moving forward in deliberation,

641
00:52:38,780 --> 00:52:45,400
I think one thing that I definitely would like to hear from council members on as we're talking

642
00:52:45,400 --> 00:52:53,780
about this specific use permit as it relates to the CP district, in my question I asked regarding

643
00:52:53,780 --> 00:52:58,700
the vision of the pedestrian commercial district which is laid out in our municipal code.

644
00:53:00,200 --> 00:53:07,120
And so just wanting to hear the dialogue amongst council as it relates to do we

645
00:53:07,120 --> 00:53:15,760
believe this type of use or use says are consistent with the zoning and the vision

646
00:53:15,760 --> 00:53:20,020
for the downtown commercial district. I think it's an important question that we'll have to

647
00:53:20,020 --> 00:53:27,060
answer and and deliberating on this item because I believe it does set a

648
00:53:27,060 --> 00:53:31,500
precedent for how we move forward. I do want to acknowledge in terms of what

649
00:53:31,500 --> 00:53:35,740
staff has shared because it's very valuable in terms of the investment and

650
00:53:35,740 --> 00:53:42,020
trying to even see movement in the downtown district but I want to bring

651
00:53:42,020 --> 00:53:49,260
up two contexts so one is you know several years back we did open up in

652
00:53:49,260 --> 00:53:56,780
terms of the zoning for the downtown district because there was a larger vision about box

653
00:53:56,780 --> 00:54:02,800
retail or just retail in the downtown area and it wasn't coming to fruition and it was

654
00:54:02,800 --> 00:54:09,040
looking at are there other uses that we could allow that could try to really fill up some

655
00:54:09,040 --> 00:54:13,920
of these vacancies but as well as keep the vision of what we're trying to move forward

656
00:54:13,920 --> 00:54:20,800
with in the downtown area. So we've seen a number of service type businesses that have come along,

657
00:54:20,800 --> 00:54:25,860
whether those are the barber shops, the beauty salons, and some of the other stores that do add

658
00:54:25,860 --> 00:54:32,400
to the downtown area and the mix and provide opportunities for people to then shop after

659
00:54:32,400 --> 00:54:38,120
they utilize that service. But I think the thing that we have to look at with all development or

660
00:54:38,120 --> 00:54:44,060
zoning is the capacity in terms of the limitation of space.

661
00:54:44,900 --> 00:54:51,400
So as we're seeing more and more service amenities or businesses come to the downtown area, it

662
00:54:51,400 --> 00:54:55,660
then takes in terms of spaces that could be utilized for future restaurants or future

663
00:54:55,660 --> 00:54:58,640
other activities that we may desire to be in the area.

664
00:54:58,720 --> 00:55:02,500
So that's one area as we're thinking through this as well from the use permit.

665
00:55:03,220 --> 00:55:08,360
The second is that maybe two years ago, I know we were going through the Healthy Community

666
00:55:08,360 --> 00:55:14,620
Ordinances process, but we had another provider that wanted to locate approximately right next

667
00:55:14,620 --> 00:55:16,040
to the old EJ Fair.

668
00:55:16,780 --> 00:55:21,800
And at that time, through the Economic Development and Land Use Subcommittee, there were conversations

669
00:55:22,420 --> 00:55:28,240
as it related to a question that Councilor Gabbata asked about would this restrict future

670
00:55:28,880 --> 00:55:33,880
businesses that may serve alcohol or be more in that entertainment space from

671
00:55:33,880 --> 00:55:37,960
being able to locate and there was a lot of concern about that being a

672
00:55:37,960 --> 00:55:41,640
possibility and it wouldn't have been conducive in terms of the vision we want

673
00:55:41,640 --> 00:55:47,740
to move forward with. So fast forward we've adopted the policy and so as it

674
00:55:47,740 --> 00:55:52,880
was shared by Ms. Gunter the downtown commercial district is excluded in

675
00:55:52,880 --> 00:55:56,060
terms of from those distance requirements but I think it's still a

676
00:55:56,060 --> 00:56:01,100
question that we have to ask ourselves if our intent was not to have children

677
00:56:01,100 --> 00:56:07,440
around these type of uses just because the downtown district is excluded the

678
00:56:07,440 --> 00:56:12,040
spirit of it is not having those uses next to these type of areas and

679
00:56:12,040 --> 00:56:17,060
establishments so I think once again we're grappling with what direction are

680
00:56:17,060 --> 00:56:20,260
we going with and I don't want to take away once again from the work that

681
00:56:20,260 --> 00:56:24,580
staff is doing in this but I do want as counselors considering this that

682
00:56:24,580 --> 00:56:29,800
we're becoming clear about what our vision is for the downtown use because on top of

683
00:56:29,800 --> 00:56:36,100
this layer, we are really in the midst of a zoning update. So this would be clear direction

684
00:56:36,100 --> 00:56:42,300
for us about where we are, what the vision is, what are the proper uses, and how we're

685
00:56:42,300 --> 00:56:43,040
moving forward.

686
00:56:43,240 --> 00:56:49,020
So I just want to add that context as we're deliberating on this to at least get us

687
00:56:49,020 --> 00:56:52,360
on the record in terms of what we believe the direction is for the downtown area.

688
00:56:52,360 --> 00:57:04,940
If this use permit and these uses are consistent with that as we're moving toward a decision on this item here tonight. So I'll yield back if there any thoughts or comments on on those post questions.

689
00:57:14,380 --> 00:57:18,700
Yeah, through the mayor. I appreciate the framework there, Mayor.

690
00:57:19,940 --> 00:57:27,780
Yeah, so I think for me, when it comes to the use, I mean, I think it's a great business

691
00:57:27,780 --> 00:57:30,100
proposal in terms of the need for our community.

692
00:57:30,360 --> 00:57:33,840
I do agree that it is just not the best location.

693
00:57:35,120 --> 00:57:39,900
My main concern, as Council Member Lopez had mentioned, is parking.

694
00:57:40,400 --> 00:57:45,240
So it is very difficult on railroad, even during normal business hours, during the

695
00:57:45,240 --> 00:57:50,600
day to find parking on railroad to frequent one of the businesses such as lumpies, right?

696
00:57:50,780 --> 00:57:58,040
So you often have to park on a side street or use one of the city designated parking

697
00:57:58,040 --> 00:58:01,400
lots to be able to access some of those facilities, even La Veranda at times.

698
00:58:01,660 --> 00:58:05,100
I often have to park over behind Mecca in that parking spot.

699
00:58:05,260 --> 00:58:07,400
So there is a big demand in terms of parking.

700
00:58:07,680 --> 00:58:12,500
And so my main concern is not necessarily with the daycare because I understand the

701
00:58:12,500 --> 00:58:15,960
drop-off times and, you know, there's not going to be a consistent parking presence

702
00:58:15,960 --> 00:58:21,080
or car presence there, but the religious assembly may have, you know, one or two hours you may

703
00:58:21,080 --> 00:58:26,360
have cars there parked on the streets or maybe in some of the other parking lots.

704
00:58:27,200 --> 00:58:31,000
So I do think that it just becomes an issue when it comes to parking.

705
00:58:31,760 --> 00:58:36,680
To the Mayor's point about the Healthy Communities Ordinance and just because it doesn't

706
00:58:36,680 --> 00:58:41,300
apply in this case or in this district, we do have to grapple with the fact

707
00:58:41,300 --> 00:58:47,280
that if we approve this today and then tomorrow or a month from now, we get a restaurant that

708
00:58:47,280 --> 00:58:52,200
wants to sell alcohol that's going to be nearby. We're going to be grappling with the conversation

709
00:58:52,200 --> 00:58:57,200
about, you know, are we going to allow this use that sells alcohol next to an established

710
00:58:57,200 --> 00:59:02,480
daycare facility? So I don't think that that is appropriate. I think that that land

711
00:59:02,480 --> 00:59:07,700
use is going to conflict, not to mention the already existing alcohol establishments

712
00:59:07,700 --> 00:59:12,900
or establishments that sell alcohol, including a bar that's actually right across the street.

713
00:59:14,020 --> 00:59:22,520
So again, another non-conforming use as I see it when it comes to how we apply the healthy

714
00:59:22,520 --> 00:59:23,760
communities type ordinance.

715
00:59:24,260 --> 00:59:28,740
And I definitely understand that it's not applicable here, but the logic behind it

716
00:59:28,740 --> 00:59:29,760
I think still stands.

717
00:59:31,300 --> 00:59:39,280
So, I do think that this is more of a, you know, drive to the business and kind of park

718
00:59:39,280 --> 00:59:41,700
there for some time or drop off.

719
00:59:42,420 --> 00:59:49,260
I don't think that it is somewhere where folks are going to be spending time and contributing

720
00:59:49,260 --> 00:59:55,540
in terms of the sales tax revenue from a commercial, like a commercial business such

721
00:59:55,540 --> 00:59:59,980
which is a restaurant, sit-down restaurant, or even some of the other uses that are.

722
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:07,800
So in terms of number, or finding J, I don't, I don't feel a find, I don't find that it meets

723
01:00:07,800 --> 01:00:16,080
that finding. I do think also kind of orderly development or preservation of property values

724
01:00:16,080 --> 01:00:20,600
and protection of tax base. I do think that the parking impacts will impact the surrounding

725
01:00:20,600 --> 01:00:25,060
businesses in not being able to, you know, their customers will have to turn around

726
01:00:25,060 --> 01:00:32,140
and not be able to frequent there which then will reduce sales tax revenue to the city so I

727
01:00:32,140 --> 01:00:38,060
think there's a couple findings there but overall just zooming out just a bad fit for the location

728
01:00:38,060 --> 01:00:43,640
considering what we're trying to do with the downtown. More restaurant focused, yes we've

729
01:00:43,640 --> 01:00:49,240
allowed different types of businesses in there but I think it's going to be it's a balance

730
01:00:49,240 --> 01:00:54,360
and when we updated the zoning to allow different types of businesses other than

731
01:00:54,360 --> 01:01:01,340
just restaurant we established you know that it is going to be a balance and it's on a

732
01:01:01,340 --> 01:01:08,060
use by use or case by case basis and it's why this use permit was going in front of

733
01:01:08,060 --> 01:01:12,060
the Planning Commission right so they can weigh in on this on a case by case basis.

734
01:01:12,340 --> 01:01:17,180
So I think from that aspect the process worked in terms of coming for the Planning

735
01:01:17,180 --> 01:01:22,740
Commission I think in my opinion the Planning Commission got this right and I'll be voting

736
01:01:22,740 --> 01:01:29,260
to support the planning commission's decision in this, so I'll conclude my comments there. Thank you.

737
01:01:31,950 --> 01:01:32,530
Council Member Lopez.

738
01:01:34,540 --> 01:01:38,040
Thank you, Council Member Benales. Like always, I appreciate your methodical

739
01:01:38,040 --> 01:01:45,780
input. I have a question for staff. Have we explored other areas where we can empower

740
01:01:46,500 --> 01:01:51,780
folks within the city to open up daycare centers? I know we've placed a huge emphasis on

741
01:01:51,780 --> 01:01:55,280
restaurants at least for the past two years but not so much in daycare centers

742
01:01:55,280 --> 01:02:00,060
that I've seen or I could be wrong but have we put any thought behind maybe

743
01:02:00,060 --> 01:02:05,140
creating like grant programs to to enable more daycare centers to open

744
01:02:05,140 --> 01:02:12,380
elsewhere? We have not considered grant programs you know I know there is

745
01:02:12,380 --> 01:02:20,300
certain funding through whether it be community services or other departments

746
01:02:20,300 --> 01:02:22,000
where that could potentially be looked at.

747
01:02:22,360 --> 01:02:25,880
We have tried consistently, sometimes with luck,

748
01:02:25,980 --> 01:02:30,520
sometimes without, to place certain care providers

749
01:02:30,520 --> 01:02:31,860
in different locations.

750
01:02:34,180 --> 01:02:37,700
To a certain extent, it's letting the market sort of dictate.

751
01:02:38,040 --> 01:02:41,040
I think that we've got a lot of different commercial spaces.

752
01:02:41,800 --> 01:02:43,920
Those commercial spaces are often lacking

753
01:02:44,370 --> 01:02:47,000
a lot of the open space, which makes it difficult

754
01:02:47,000 --> 01:02:49,060
if somebody's not gonna put one in their home.

755
01:02:49,620 --> 01:02:53,700
I will say one of the challenges some folks have in some of these small lot

756
01:02:53,700 --> 01:02:57,700
developments is that they also don't have open space and they are going to

757
01:02:57,700 --> 01:03:04,580
parks. Sometimes those small houses aren't located right next to the park

758
01:03:04,580 --> 01:03:08,840
and they have to travel to get there. So it's not a it's not an uncommon

759
01:03:08,840 --> 01:03:14,120
situation where folks have to seek the outdoor space elsewhere. That being said

760
01:03:14,120 --> 01:03:17,340
we have looked at a lot of the vacant spaces, namely the vacant spaces

761
01:03:17,340 --> 01:03:23,480
that we have a lot of trouble filling to try to put daycare facilities in those

762
01:03:23,480 --> 01:03:28,280
locations. Unfortunately, oftentimes it just doesn't work out when somebody's

763
01:03:28,280 --> 01:03:33,940
looking at a commercial space because the property owner can't meet parking demands

764
01:03:33,940 --> 01:03:36,520
or traffic demands or outdoor play demands.

765
01:03:39,000 --> 01:03:42,460
Thank you. I think just going

766
01:03:42,460 --> 01:03:47,580
back a little bit is where our focus goes, you know, things will happen and I

767
01:03:47,580 --> 01:03:53,140
think that creating the balancing test, you know, if this is not going to be a

768
01:03:53,140 --> 01:03:57,900
good fit for the overall well-being of the city, we have to still think about

769
01:03:57,900 --> 01:04:02,180
the residents, the parents, the children, any daycare centers and start putting

770
01:04:02,180 --> 01:04:06,660
some priority in creating, I know it's not the most glamorous part of

771
01:04:06,660 --> 01:04:11,220
economic development, but building good daycare centers at the right

772
01:04:11,220 --> 01:04:16,880
locations within the city, located within, you know, a next amount of

773
01:04:16,880 --> 01:04:21,460
minutes from residential areas should be an emphasis that we should be

774
01:04:21,460 --> 01:04:24,780
considering at this time moving forward as well. Thank you.

775
01:04:30,200 --> 01:04:37,340
All right. Any other thoughts, comments, further deliberation on this item?

776
01:04:40,670 --> 01:04:44,890
If not, is there a motion? Do you want to

777
01:04:44,890 --> 01:04:46,330
put that as a motion, Councilor Benales?

778
01:04:48,780 --> 01:04:50,360
Yeah, I'll make a motion to

779
01:04:50,360 --> 01:04:53,200
to uphold the planning commission decision

780
01:04:53,520 --> 01:04:54,980
and deny the use permit.

781
01:04:56,830 --> 01:04:59,210
All right, we have a motion by Councilman Bonales.

782
01:04:59,970 --> 01:05:00,730
Is there a second?

783
01:05:01,590 --> 01:05:02,290
Councilman Rucabada.

784
01:05:03,250 --> 01:05:04,250
I second that.

785
01:05:04,810 --> 01:05:07,230
All right, we have a motion on the floor

786
01:05:07,830 --> 01:05:09,110
as well as a second.

787
01:05:09,770 --> 01:05:10,850
So a vote.

788
01:05:12,690 --> 01:05:15,710
Yes, so the motion is to uphold

789
01:05:16,030 --> 01:05:17,890
the planning commission's decision,

790
01:05:18,850 --> 01:05:20,830
which would be to deny the use permit

791
01:05:20,830 --> 01:05:22,670
And essentially deny the appeal

792
01:05:23,310 --> 01:05:29,250
So a vote and the affirmative on this would be a denial of the appeal. All

793
01:05:31,870 --> 01:05:32,190
right

794
01:05:33,230 --> 01:05:34,070
With that

795
01:05:34,070 --> 01:05:37,150
We have a motion in a second go ahead and cast your votes

796
01:05:39,260 --> 01:05:41,440
seconded by councilor Kabada mayor

797
01:06:48,800 --> 01:06:53,180
killings my understanding is the system is frozen. You could do a roll call vote or

798
01:06:53,960 --> 01:06:55,780
Wait on the technology

799
01:06:55,780 --> 01:07:01,450
We'll go ahead and do a roll call vote madam clerk councilmember Kabada.

800
01:07:04,280 --> 01:07:04,840
Hi

801
01:07:04,840 --> 01:07:05,740
Council

802
01:07:08,330 --> 01:07:09,310
Member Bernalas.

803
01:07:09,310 --> 01:07:09,650
Aye.

804
01:07:12,140 --> 01:07:13,060
Council Member Lopez.

805
01:07:16,220 --> 01:07:20,820
This was a tough one, but I always got to do the balancing test and do what's best for

806
01:07:20,820 --> 01:07:26,520
the city overall with a plan to execute at a later time. So my answer is aye.

807
01:07:28,140 --> 01:07:29,160
Vice Mayor Adams.

808
01:07:29,980 --> 01:07:30,500
Yes.

809
01:07:31,240 --> 01:07:33,600
And also consideration for a different location.

810
01:07:36,940 --> 01:07:37,800
Mayor Killings.

811
01:07:38,300 --> 01:07:38,500
Aye.

812
01:07:45,800 --> 01:07:47,220
All right. So that motion passes.

813
01:07:47,220 --> 01:07:58,960
is this will conclude the special meeting on this item due to time. We will reconvene

814
01:07:58,960 --> 01:08:01,660
for open session at seven o'clock council.

815
01:08:34,890 --> 01:08:38,090
So Madam Clark, can you please call the roll?

816
01:08:38,090 --> 01:08:44,930
Council Member Cubata. Present. Council Member Benales. Present. Council Member Lopez. Present.

817
01:08:45,310 --> 01:08:50,290
Vice Mayor Adams. Present. Mayor Killings. Present. Can everyone please stand up.

818
01:08:50,290 --> 01:08:51,630
and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

819
01:08:55,470 --> 01:08:59,790
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

820
01:09:00,230 --> 01:09:02,550
and to the Republic for which it stands,

821
01:09:03,110 --> 01:09:07,970
one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

822
01:09:15,220 --> 01:09:19,060
So at this time, we're going to move on to our proclamations.

823
01:09:19,860 --> 01:09:22,760
Standing proclamations are published as part of the agenda

824
01:09:23,320 --> 01:09:25,500
and also be posted on the city's website

825
01:09:25,500 --> 01:09:27,180
and social media accounts as appropriate.

826
01:09:27,180 --> 01:09:34,760
And tonight it is my honor to have our final Inspire Pittsburgh honoree for the

827
01:09:34,760 --> 01:09:41,760
year and this is special and definitely well deserving to recognize people who

828
01:09:41,760 --> 01:09:45,420
care for the work that they do in our community. So if we have representatives

829
01:09:45,420 --> 01:09:50,000
I see Ms. Pope is in in the chambers this evening and definitely want to

830
01:09:50,000 --> 01:09:56,080
welcome you both up to receive the proclamation this evening. And so I'll

831
01:09:56,080 --> 01:10:00,960
go ahead and read the proclamation. I'll come down and present it to you both and

832
01:10:00,960 --> 01:10:04,400
then give you all an opportunity to address the council and share some

833
01:10:04,400 --> 01:10:06,480
comments with all those who are in attendance here this evening.

834
01:10:09,050 --> 01:10:09,550
So this

835
01:10:09,550 --> 01:10:14,530
proclamation is recognizing people who care, whereas people who care Children's

836
01:10:14,530 --> 01:10:18,710
Association was established in Pittsburgh in 2001 with the mission to

837
01:10:18,710 --> 01:10:23,330
empower at-risk youth by promoting educational and vocational opportunities

838
01:10:23,330 --> 01:10:27,650
and by providing training support and other tools that they need to

839
01:10:27,650 --> 01:10:33,650
overcome challenging circumstances. Whereas PWC is a valuable community partner that works

840
01:10:33,650 --> 01:10:38,770
with the City of Pittsburgh, the local school district, and Contra Costa County to identify

841
01:10:38,770 --> 01:10:44,770
and serve at-risk youth. And whereas PWC serves a diverse group of over 200 youth throughout

842
01:10:44,770 --> 01:10:49,990
the year and has served more than 2,000 youth since it was founded. And whereas their

843
01:10:49,990 --> 01:10:54,910
services to the community include programs that provide youth the opportunity to gain

844
01:10:54,910 --> 01:11:00,070
community service hours, vocational and job skills training, as well as mental health

845
01:11:00,070 --> 01:11:07,430
services which incorporate group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, home visits, and school

846
01:11:07,430 --> 01:11:07,970
advocacy.

847
01:11:08,870 --> 01:11:14,850
And whereas by combining therapeutic support with real-world enrichment, educational opportunities

848
01:11:14,850 --> 01:11:20,730
and community engagement, PWC helps its youth build resilience, leadership, a sense

849
01:11:20,730 --> 01:11:24,070
of belonging, all while preventing negative outcomes.

850
01:11:25,050 --> 01:11:30,470
And whereas PWC also promotes civic engagement and responsibility through community service,

851
01:11:31,130 --> 01:11:35,870
its youth participate in approximately 30 voluntary events each year, partnering with

852
01:11:35,870 --> 01:11:41,550
the city, the Chamber of Commerce, and local community-based organizations to support cultural

853
01:11:41,550 --> 01:11:42,770
and community events.

854
01:11:43,570 --> 01:11:48,450
And whereas PWC's success has been demonstrated through over 20 years of service to the

855
01:11:48,450 --> 01:11:51,730
community and its commitment to supporting the needs of youth.

856
01:11:52,490 --> 01:11:57,750
And whereas we affirm our commitment to fostering civic pride and engagement by elevating the

857
01:11:57,750 --> 01:12:01,470
great work of community members that enrich our lives and the lives of others.

858
01:12:02,310 --> 01:12:06,230
Now therefore, Ajalani Killings, Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, on behalf of the

859
01:12:06,230 --> 01:12:11,730
entire City Council, do hereby recognize and commend people who care for their remarkable

860
01:12:11,730 --> 01:12:16,850
achievements and ongoing commitment to youth development, mental health, and community

861
01:12:16,850 --> 01:12:21,770
service and encourage all to join us in thanking them for their contributions to

862
01:12:21,770 --> 01:12:22,530
inspire Pittsburgh.

863
01:12:26,760 --> 01:12:28,420
Good evening

864
01:12:55,810 --> 01:13:00,270
everyone. Thank you Mayor Killens for those kind

865
01:13:00,270 --> 01:13:04,990
words of introduction. Again my name is Connie Russell. I'm the executive

866
01:13:04,990 --> 01:13:09,830
director of People Who Care Children's Association. This award is a recognition

867
01:13:09,830 --> 01:13:16,630
of not just PWC's leadership including Miss Veronica Pope, PWC's founder, but

868
01:13:16,630 --> 01:13:25,210
but also of the many clients, families, supporters, advocates, and sponsors that have served PWC

869
01:13:25,210 --> 01:13:26,850
throughout the past 21 years.

870
01:13:28,010 --> 01:13:34,730
When the city asked if PWC would accept this honor from the mayor, we accepted with enthusiasm.

871
01:13:35,830 --> 01:13:42,230
It is an honor and a privilege to serve our community in any capacity that helps to improve

872
01:13:42,230 --> 01:13:49,570
the lives of our diverse community of Pittsburgh. It is our shared responsibility to nurture

873
01:13:49,870 --> 01:13:56,110
and strengthen a cultural community service by providing young children with an understanding

874
01:13:56,470 --> 01:14:01,430
of our city government and the importance of being active in their communities.

875
01:14:02,450 --> 01:14:09,130
Thank you again, Mayor Killins, the city manager, city council members, and everyone

876
01:14:09,130 --> 01:14:14,690
else responsible for this order. We are very grateful and want to assure you

877
01:14:14,690 --> 01:14:20,930
that we are unwavering in our commitment to ongoing service. So again, thanks

878
01:14:20,930 --> 01:14:21,230
everyone.

879
01:14:31,850 --> 01:14:34,790
Thank you. So at this time we're going to move on to presentations

880
01:14:34,790 --> 01:14:38,510
and I'll turn over to the city manager for the first presentation. Thank

881
01:14:38,510 --> 01:14:43,230
you Mayor. Tonight's first presentation is by the Contra Costa

882
01:14:43,230 --> 01:14:49,530
Accounting Services regarding CORE, which is Outreach Referral Engagement Program.

883
01:14:50,130 --> 01:14:53,470
With us is Feddy Elhayek, CORE Program Administrator.

884
01:14:56,180 --> 01:14:57,480
Greetings, Council Members.

885
01:14:58,420 --> 01:14:59,960
Thank you very much for having us this evening.

886
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:03,160
Good evening. My name is Fettie El Hayek. I'm the core outreach program director.

887
01:15:03,900 --> 01:15:10,500
This evening, it is my pleasure to provide an overview about the core program, specifically

888
01:15:10,500 --> 01:15:15,940
the work that we're doing in Pittsburgh and our contracted Pittsburgh team, working Monday

889
01:15:15,940 --> 01:15:21,980
through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Today I'll be sharing an overview on core services, hot

890
01:15:21,980 --> 01:15:27,460
spots in Pittsburgh, activities, data, and positive outcomes. And before we get into

891
01:15:27,460 --> 01:15:29,400
to these topics, I'd like to set the context

892
01:15:29,400 --> 01:15:31,420
for the work we're doing in Contra Costa County.

893
01:15:35,940 --> 01:15:38,960
So when we look at the housing landscape here,

894
01:15:39,240 --> 01:15:43,900
renters in Contra Costa County need to earn $43.63 per hour

895
01:15:43,900 --> 01:15:46,200
to afford the average monthly asking rent.

896
01:15:46,880 --> 01:15:49,420
And when you look at the unhoused population

897
01:15:49,420 --> 01:15:52,320
that we're working, the majority not having income

898
01:15:52,320 --> 01:15:55,280
or having very low income, we see the need

899
01:15:55,280 --> 01:15:58,000
for programs like core and partnerships like this

900
01:15:58,000 --> 01:15:59,700
to be able to serve the community

901
01:15:59,700 --> 01:16:02,860
because the cost of housing is the biggest factor

902
01:16:02,860 --> 01:16:04,440
in a community's right of homelessness.

903
01:16:05,080 --> 01:16:06,760
There are many different factors

904
01:16:06,760 --> 01:16:10,580
that the unhoused population are working through,

905
01:16:10,700 --> 01:16:13,640
be it medical, physical, mental health, otherwise.

906
01:16:14,100 --> 01:16:16,040
And all of these are important to address

907
01:16:16,040 --> 01:16:18,620
and to support these individuals through,

908
01:16:19,020 --> 01:16:21,500
but research shows that the cost of housing

909
01:16:21,500 --> 01:16:22,680
is the biggest factor

910
01:16:22,680 --> 01:16:24,260
in a community's right of homelessness.

911
01:16:25,460 --> 01:16:28,880
Also, when we look at the point in time count

912
01:16:28,880 --> 01:16:38,340
So 2,118 people experiencing homelessness were counted in the 2025 point-in-time count.

913
01:16:38,820 --> 01:16:43,560
And when we look at our HMIS data in the homeless management information system,

914
01:16:43,840 --> 01:16:49,180
it's just about double or more because the point-in-time count is a snapshot.

915
01:16:51,440 --> 01:16:56,600
Now when it comes to H3's mission, it is committed to making homelessness short-lived

916
01:16:56,600 --> 01:17:01,960
and non-recurring by ensuring an integrated system of housing and support services for persons

917
01:17:01,960 --> 01:17:07,520
experiencing homelessness in Contra Costa County as we strive on working with the most vulnerable

918
01:17:07,520 --> 01:17:15,200
community members. So this is the Pittsburgh team here. So the team that operates Monday through

919
01:17:15,200 --> 01:17:21,460
Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. On the right there we have Rebecca Sanders. She is the program

920
01:17:21,460 --> 01:17:27,060
coordinator. She oversees the team. In the middle we have Janessa, and all the way to the left we

921
01:17:27,060 --> 01:17:33,740
have Lino and their full-time outreach specialist. So Core is dispatched from 211 option 3 or through

922
01:17:33,740 --> 01:17:39,380
direct communication with our esteemed PD and law enforcement partners such as Officer Towner where

923
01:17:39,380 --> 01:17:44,960
we communicate just about every day. This team prioritizes relationship building and assessing

924
01:17:44,960 --> 01:17:49,580
the needs of the unique individuals that we encounter on a day-to-day basis. We have to

925
01:17:49,580 --> 01:17:53,820
tailor our services and what we're providing based on the unique people that we're meeting

926
01:17:53,820 --> 01:17:55,520
with and building rapport with them.

927
01:17:56,180 --> 01:18:00,320
And placement into shelter or housing is our north star, but a lot of different services

928
01:18:00,320 --> 01:18:01,960
need to be provided along the way.

929
01:18:03,360 --> 01:18:09,580
So core being a housing focused street outreach program, in order to stabilize and to support

930
01:18:09,580 --> 01:18:13,300
the unhoused individuals that we're working with, a lot of services need to be provided.

931
01:18:13,300 --> 01:18:31,620
Linkages to health and behavioral health, such as working with the mental health clinical specialist that can ride along with core Mondays and Fridays, working hand in hand with health care for the homeless, getting folks connected to primary care to the Pittsburgh Health Center and others.

932
01:18:32,280 --> 01:18:42,760
Direct placement into shelters such as Delta Landing and working with our backs partners as well as warming centers such as the Concord Warming Center and many other shelters as well.

933
01:18:43,560 --> 01:18:45,380
And can abatement support?

934
01:18:45,740 --> 01:18:48,460
We provide problem solving and hand-holding.

935
01:18:48,580 --> 01:18:51,860
We don't initiate abatements, but we're there to support.

936
01:18:52,180 --> 01:18:54,900
And oftentimes, if there's an abatement on-house individuals

937
01:18:54,900 --> 01:18:58,080
might be more open to reconsidering shelter,

938
01:18:58,300 --> 01:18:59,880
warming center, or family reunification.

939
01:19:00,980 --> 01:19:02,960
And transportation to appointments

940
01:19:02,960 --> 01:19:06,680
is a big deal of what we do as well to the DMV

941
01:19:06,680 --> 01:19:09,140
to get folks their IDs and get them housing ready.

942
01:19:09,140 --> 01:19:17,180
to care centers, drop-in centers, to medical appointments, to employment centers, and transportation

943
01:19:17,180 --> 01:19:20,780
to housing placement meetings as well or housing meetings.

944
01:19:21,240 --> 01:19:28,100
So we're looking at the entire market and if the individual, if a sober living environment

945
01:19:28,100 --> 01:19:32,820
is the best fit for them, a permanent supportive housing option through our coordinated entry

946
01:19:32,820 --> 01:19:38,680
system, transitional housing, do they have a housing choice voucher, is senior living

947
01:19:38,680 --> 01:19:42,280
or an affordable housing unit, the best fit for them. We're really looking at everything.

948
01:19:44,540 --> 01:19:49,800
So when it comes to the Pittsburgh landscape, you know, we're all over the city but there are

949
01:19:49,800 --> 01:19:55,540
hot spots that we prioritize as well. We know we can often find unhoused individuals we're working

950
01:19:55,540 --> 01:20:02,020
with along the Delta Deans trail. Atlantic Plaza continues to be a hot spot and we can, you

951
01:20:02,020 --> 01:20:08,000
know, next to Walgreens, next to the businesses in that area, we can definitely find folks

952
01:20:08,000 --> 01:20:11,700
that we're regularly working with every day there about five or ten people.

953
01:20:12,540 --> 01:20:17,420
Buchanan Park numbers have been increasing slightly and we're keeping a

954
01:20:17,420 --> 01:20:22,700
close watch on it. We know that CD Park numbers went down and we're you know

955
01:20:22,700 --> 01:20:26,220
we're continuously engaging with folks at Buchanan Park just about

956
01:20:26,220 --> 01:20:31,720
everybody will work with us and talk to us there. And then Loveridge Road and

957
01:20:31,720 --> 01:20:36,700
Delta Landing obviously this is a big hot spot for us as well. We see that

958
01:20:36,700 --> 01:20:41,260
it's getting better, and we're seeing less folks that are there that are unhoused.

959
01:20:42,300 --> 01:20:47,340
And most of the folks who present as unhoused in this area might be residents of Delta Landing,

960
01:20:47,340 --> 01:20:48,940
and they just might be in the area.

961
01:20:49,600 --> 01:20:52,600
We don't have anyone who's unhoused or that won't work with us.

962
01:20:52,680 --> 01:20:53,680
They will talk with us.

963
01:20:53,780 --> 01:20:58,500
They will build a relationship with us and accept, you know, resources from us.

964
01:20:59,300 --> 01:21:03,620
Some of the folks have been discharged from Delta Landing, but it's only a few.

965
01:21:03,620 --> 01:21:08,000
and some folks might be waiting for shelter but it's really not a super high

966
01:21:08,000 --> 01:21:12,500
number and we might see anywhere from you know six to nine people there on a

967
01:21:12,500 --> 01:21:18,740
daily basis. So it really does take a village for us to do what we do

968
01:21:18,740 --> 01:21:23,920
partnerships with health care for the homeless, shelter providers, mobile

969
01:21:23,920 --> 01:21:28,760
crisis that's A3 so it's anytime anywhere any place as well as our

970
01:21:28,760 --> 01:21:33,740
Pittsburgh PD partners. So these partnerships are necessary in order for

971
01:21:33,740 --> 01:21:37,220
us to meet the needs of the different scenarios that we may encounter in the

972
01:21:37,220 --> 01:21:42,060
field because all the services that we provide are voluntary and we can't

973
01:21:42,060 --> 01:21:46,660
force anybody to accept our services but sometimes it's not so cut and dry and

974
01:21:46,660 --> 01:21:50,560
there are different scenarios. So if there are medical needs so an individual

975
01:21:50,560 --> 01:21:56,020
has acute needs and we have to call 911 for an emergency we definitely

976
01:21:56,020 --> 01:22:00,460
do that. For non-acute needs we can continue to work with them if there's

977
01:22:00,460 --> 01:22:04,660
something that's not so prevalent and it's not an urgent emergency. We can work

978
01:22:04,660 --> 01:22:07,940
with health care for the homeless, ask them to come out into the field with us

979
01:22:07,940 --> 01:22:12,860
or transport individuals to mobile health clinics. If there are mental

980
01:22:12,860 --> 01:22:16,620
health needs again we have a mental health clinical specialist who works

981
01:22:16,620 --> 01:22:20,840
through H3 and she can ride along with core teams on a Monday or a

982
01:22:20,840 --> 01:22:23,120
Friday and I know she's been out with the Pittsburgh team in the

983
01:22:23,120 --> 01:22:29,600
past. Or we can coordinate with A3 if they are in crisis or if we suspect a crisis we

984
01:22:29,600 --> 01:22:34,520
will reach out to them. And if an individual is engaging in a lawyering or a crime this

985
01:22:34,520 --> 01:22:38,580
is out of our scope but we have a really good relationship with our law enforcement

986
01:22:38,580 --> 01:22:43,500
partners and officer towner and we will inform them and just remain in constant

987
01:22:43,500 --> 01:22:46,060
communication if it's something that's out of our scope.

988
01:22:48,190 --> 01:22:49,410
And community activities

989
01:22:49,410 --> 01:22:51,290
These are very important for us as well.

990
01:22:52,210 --> 01:22:55,070
Loaves and fishes and St. Vincent de Paul

991
01:22:55,070 --> 01:22:56,390
are frequented every day,

992
01:22:56,490 --> 01:22:59,030
so we can find our regular partners there,

993
01:22:59,090 --> 01:23:01,010
and it's a great opportunity for us to connect

994
01:23:01,010 --> 01:23:04,270
with the participants that are at these locations.

995
01:23:05,050 --> 01:23:06,970
We are at National Night Out,

996
01:23:07,050 --> 01:23:08,490
as well as Words with the Police,

997
01:23:09,290 --> 01:23:10,650
to get the word out there

998
01:23:10,650 --> 01:23:12,370
and to spread the word of who we are

999
01:23:12,370 --> 01:23:13,670
and how to get in touch with us.

1000
01:23:14,370 --> 01:23:16,610
We promote the food bank to our participants.

1001
01:23:17,370 --> 01:23:19,190
We also, we have many different teams

1002
01:23:19,190 --> 01:23:23,410
throughout the county and one of them is an education team so we have two care

1003
01:23:23,410 --> 01:23:27,230
coordinators who work with unhoused individuals and families and that might

1004
01:23:27,230 --> 01:23:31,430
be through K through 12 or in the college school system and one of our care

1005
01:23:31,430 --> 01:23:36,670
coordinators has office hours at LMC and Mount Diablo resource recovery is a

1006
01:23:36,670 --> 01:23:40,450
great resource for us for to get furnishing and household items for those

1007
01:23:40,450 --> 01:23:45,230
going into housing. So at this time I'm going to be getting into data and

1008
01:23:45,230 --> 01:23:53,210
outcomes and this is for fiscal year 24 through 25 so this is July through June

1009
01:23:53,210 --> 01:24:00,690
and of all all teams working in Pittsburgh 5,578 services were

1010
01:24:00,690 --> 01:24:07,310
provided to 913 unduplicated individuals 91% have roots in Pittsburgh

1011
01:24:07,310 --> 01:24:12,590
which speaks to us serving the community members from here. 52%

1012
01:24:12,590 --> 01:24:16,950
reported being unhoused for the first time. When you look at the cost of living, the lack of

1013
01:24:16,950 --> 01:24:21,850
affordable housing in our communities, we see individuals being unhoused for the first time

1014
01:24:21,850 --> 01:24:29,950
more and more. 68% have a disabling condition. 16% were accompanied minors with families,

1015
01:24:30,170 --> 01:24:35,170
so with their head of households or other parents. And 44% reported having mental health

1016
01:24:35,170 --> 01:24:39,210
problems, which speaks to the vulnerability of the unhoused population we work with.

1017
01:24:39,210 --> 01:24:45,330
55% of these folks were made of these contacts were made by the Pittsburgh

1018
01:24:45,330 --> 01:24:50,230
Corps team and we're gonna get into that data soon. When it comes to all exits

1019
01:24:50,230 --> 01:24:55,330
from the city of Pittsburgh from Corps during this fiscal year, 39% went to a

1020
01:24:55,330 --> 01:24:59,450
more stable destination which is amazing. Huge shout out to Lino and

1021
01:24:59,450 --> 01:25:04,590
Genessa and all the Corps teams. 125 individuals moved into permanent

1022
01:25:04,590 --> 01:25:12,670
housing, 93 went to shelter, and 30 went to short-term housing. Additionally, 1,293

1023
01:25:12,670 --> 01:25:18,050
warming center placements were made for 122 individuals, and this is night by

1024
01:25:18,050 --> 01:25:22,410
night shelter. It's not long-term, but there's a night by night turnover. And

1025
01:25:22,410 --> 01:25:28,670
of the 125 who went to permanent housing, 94% retained their housing. Now

1026
01:25:28,670 --> 01:25:34,250
getting it specifically into the contracted Pittsburgh core team in the

1027
01:25:34,250 --> 01:25:39,090
last fiscal year 131 Pittsburgh PD dispatch calls were diverted so this

1028
01:25:39,090 --> 01:25:45,950
is 131 times that and a officer reached out to us and we are able to engage and

1029
01:25:45,950 --> 01:25:49,390
make a meaningful connection with an unhoused individual and to track that in

1030
01:25:49,390 --> 01:25:54,130
our system which is 131 times where an officer was freed up so they

1031
01:25:54,130 --> 01:25:57,510
could protect and serve and do their level of work in the community while

1032
01:25:57,510 --> 01:26:02,630
we can serve the unhoused. Additionally from this team again 499 unhoused

1033
01:26:02,630 --> 01:26:07,510
people were served, 86 unhoused people from this team specifically exited to a

1034
01:26:07,510 --> 01:26:14,210
stable or safe destination, 10,696 services were provided and of those

1035
01:26:14,210 --> 01:26:21,190
3,842 housing coordination services were provided. So now I have a couple

1036
01:26:21,190 --> 01:26:26,950
more data slides here. When it comes to comparative data, we're looking at four

1037
01:26:26,950 --> 01:26:33,270
years worth of data. We're looking at individuals, contacts, services, total

1038
01:26:33,270 --> 01:26:39,030
exits, and stable exits. And the first year it's the fiscal year so it's

1039
01:26:39,030 --> 01:26:46,050
July to June. The first year here is 2021 through 2022 and we see here and

1040
01:26:46,050 --> 01:26:50,890
then you know 22 through 23 and then 23 through 24 it's when the contract

1041
01:26:50,890 --> 01:26:56,150
started and then the last fiscal year. We can see here that as we have

1042
01:26:56,150 --> 01:27:00,490
gotten our boots firmly planted in the ground and working with the unhoused

1043
01:27:00,490 --> 01:27:06,010
population that the numbers have gone up but as you can see when the contract

1044
01:27:06,010 --> 01:27:09,750
started it went up because we had much more engagement but then the numbers

1045
01:27:09,750 --> 01:27:13,870
have gone it gone down in the second year of our contract but it's notable

1046
01:27:13,870 --> 01:27:19,550
that the contacts and services have gone up so the numbers of unhoused

1047
01:27:19,550 --> 01:27:23,630
people have gone down but the services and contacts have gone up which

1048
01:27:23,630 --> 01:27:29,930
means high quality service delivery that we're providing. And you know the stable exits here

1049
01:27:29,930 --> 01:27:38,010
again the last fiscal year 248 individuals exited to a stable destination. So again there's 27%

1050
01:27:38,010 --> 01:27:44,290
increase in individuals served between the 2223 through 24 through 25.

1051
01:27:45,750 --> 01:27:52,470
And looking at the collective data here since we started our contract 1640 individuals were

1052
01:27:52,470 --> 01:28:03,590
served, 32,746 services were provided through 8,796 contacts, and 9,359 housing

1053
01:28:03,590 --> 01:28:08,330
coordination services were provided, which has resulted in a total of 501

1054
01:28:08,330 --> 01:28:13,650
individuals exiting to stable housing. And of those 192 exited to permanent,

1055
01:28:14,190 --> 01:28:19,790
190 exited to shelter, 119 exited to short-term housing, and of those who

1056
01:28:19,790 --> 01:28:24,890
went to permanent housing, 91% remained housed post-exit and did not re-enter the homeless

1057
01:28:24,890 --> 01:28:25,590
system of care.

1058
01:28:26,390 --> 01:28:30,310
I'm going to be finishing up our presentation with a success story.

1059
01:28:30,630 --> 01:28:36,510
So after starting our contract in 2023, a chronically unhoused individual started working

1060
01:28:36,510 --> 01:28:37,830
with the Corp Pittsburgh team.

1061
01:28:38,370 --> 01:28:42,510
The journey started when the participant allowed Corp to offer services and accepted

1062
01:28:42,510 --> 01:28:42,930
support.

1063
01:28:43,590 --> 01:28:48,030
Due to their physical condition, the outreach specialists involved the Corp program coordinator

1064
01:28:48,030 --> 01:28:52,070
Rebecca Sanders to connect the individual with medical care and shelter.

1065
01:28:53,110 --> 01:28:58,530
The Pittsburgh Outreach Specialists learned that the individual did not have a viable source

1066
01:28:58,530 --> 01:29:01,270
of income and worked towards interim shelter placement.

1067
01:29:01,930 --> 01:29:06,450
CORE immediately advocated for a shelter bed when it became available and began the process

1068
01:29:06,450 --> 01:29:11,370
to visit the EHSD office to establish medical insurance and apply for public benefits.

1069
01:29:13,390 --> 01:29:17,270
Ongoing support, CORE continued to work with the participant and supported by scheduling

1070
01:29:17,270 --> 01:29:21,550
medical appointments to receive primary care. And prior to each doctor's appointment,

1071
01:29:22,050 --> 01:29:25,910
the outreach specialist transported the participant to the Concord Service Center

1072
01:29:25,910 --> 01:29:29,950
to utilize the dog kennel for their pet, to do laundry, and to do shower.

1073
01:29:31,070 --> 01:29:36,410
Finally, they were placed into shelter and now they are working on a housing plan.

1074
01:29:36,790 --> 01:29:40,790
And they're able to stabilize and work on their health goals. And we're able to achieve

1075
01:29:40,790 --> 01:29:42,690
the success because of this partnership.

1076
01:29:46,260 --> 01:29:48,380
Thank you very much for allowing us to present

1077
01:29:48,380 --> 01:29:49,600
and we're happy to take questions.

1078
01:29:51,400 --> 01:29:53,540
Thank you for coming out and making the presentation.

1079
01:29:54,300 --> 01:29:56,800
Do any of my colleagues have any questions this evening?

1080
01:29:58,140 --> 01:29:59,580
Or comments? Vice Mayor?

1081
01:30:00,560 --> 01:30:07,140
Thank you. I don't have a question. Just a comment through the mayor. One, thank you for the report that you shared with us.

1082
01:30:07,820 --> 01:30:16,380
And really just wanted to show appreciation for the work that you do. I actually have very close friends and some family members that have received your services.

1083
01:30:16,540 --> 01:30:28,440
And it's made a difference. People that were hard to reach. And so I know that the relationship building you do is really key to help people get the support that they need.

1084
01:30:28,440 --> 01:30:30,680
And so, I just wanted to say thank you.

1085
01:30:30,900 --> 01:30:34,180
I'm glad that you're here and making a difference here in our community.

1086
01:30:34,800 --> 01:30:35,700
You're very welcome.

1087
01:30:40,000 --> 01:30:40,420
Hello, Vance.

1088
01:30:40,740 --> 01:30:41,160
Yes, hello.

1089
01:30:41,520 --> 01:30:44,840
Similar to Vice Mayor Adams, I want to thank you for all the work that you do.

1090
01:30:45,320 --> 01:30:48,980
There's a lot of nobility in the work that you do, and I'm grateful for that.

1091
01:30:49,400 --> 01:30:52,480
You know, on behalf of our residents, the work and support that you guys provide,

1092
01:30:52,860 --> 01:30:57,500
more and more I hear the term, the core team, you know, throughout the community.

1093
01:30:57,500 --> 01:31:03,440
community. I also realized that you guys provide a lot of help and support for police departments.

1094
01:31:04,280 --> 01:31:08,820
And a lot of the resources that you provide helps alleviate some of the issues that they

1095
01:31:08,820 --> 01:31:13,460
were encountering on a day-to-day basis. So I'm grateful for that. It's also exciting

1096
01:31:13,460 --> 01:31:17,940
to see that you guys came in and started building these relationships with our local

1097
01:31:17,940 --> 01:31:23,180
nonprofits, which is very important. And so I'm excited for the work that you

1098
01:31:23,180 --> 01:31:24,040
will continue to do.

1099
01:31:24,300 --> 01:31:27,040
And like always, you have my support.

1100
01:31:27,560 --> 01:31:30,420
The area of mental health is dear to my heart.

1101
01:31:30,680 --> 01:31:33,920
So I am incredibly grateful for the presentation to you.

1102
01:31:34,300 --> 01:31:35,100
I love the numbers.

1103
01:31:36,880 --> 01:31:38,740
Numbers are there for a reason.

1104
01:31:39,220 --> 01:31:42,220
And just to see that the work that you do

1105
01:31:42,220 --> 01:31:43,900
is actually creating positive impact,

1106
01:31:44,460 --> 01:31:45,440
it's a breath of fresh air.

1107
01:31:45,620 --> 01:31:46,060
So thank you.

1108
01:31:46,440 --> 01:31:46,780
Thank you.

1109
01:31:49,880 --> 01:31:50,520
Councilmember Cabada?

1110
01:31:51,580 --> 01:31:54,940
Hi, I just wanted to also echo my appreciation

1111
01:31:54,940 --> 01:32:00,260
for the hard work that you guys do it's a it's it is very hard it's a delicate

1112
01:32:00,260 --> 01:32:05,100
balance as well because you're faced with different situations every day from

1113
01:32:05,100 --> 01:32:10,860
each different person and you have to find a way to fix it or at least help it

1114
01:32:11,460 --> 01:32:16,560
and it's not a job that I can say is easy I know that but I want to thank

1115
01:32:16,560 --> 01:32:22,420
you because I've worked with Corb in the past at my workplace we had to

1116
01:32:22,420 --> 01:32:28,980
deal with the corn and helping us with finding resources for the people that earn my work.

1117
01:32:29,320 --> 01:32:33,360
So I just want to thank you again and I appreciate all the things that you guys do.

1118
01:32:33,840 --> 01:32:34,300
Thank you.

1119
01:32:37,090 --> 01:32:38,930
Yes, once again, thank you for the presentation.

1120
01:32:39,510 --> 01:32:41,930
Just a couple of questions for me.

1121
01:32:42,610 --> 01:32:46,530
So I know you had shared about the outreach that you all have done in terms of being

1122
01:32:46,530 --> 01:32:47,550
at community events.

1123
01:32:48,030 --> 01:32:54,410
So is the public or more specifically business owners, are they able to reach out directly

1124
01:32:54,410 --> 01:33:01,570
to the core team if there is assistance needed in a shopping center or services

1125
01:33:01,570 --> 01:33:07,330
that may need to be provided? Yeah, so it would be 2-1-1 option 3, but if they say

1126
01:33:07,330 --> 01:33:12,270
they would like to speak with Rebecca Sanders, I need to speak with a manager.

1127
01:33:12,690 --> 01:33:17,190
I'm a business owner here. It'll be expedited to our management team as

1128
01:33:17,190 --> 01:33:21,690
well as like core SCCHealth.org. I get those emails Rebecca does as well.

1129
01:33:21,690 --> 01:33:24,390
They could easily get in touch with us very quickly.

1130
01:33:24,630 --> 01:33:30,570
Okay, definitely with advocate. I know that came up in some meetings that we have with some local business owners

1131
01:33:30,570 --> 01:33:33,790
and so we didn't know who to directly send them to.

1132
01:33:34,070 --> 01:33:42,350
So with 2-1-1 and as you're sharing, they just ask for somebody specific or there's a way for them to be routed specifically to the Pittsburgh team?

1133
01:33:43,110 --> 01:33:50,610
Yeah, they could definitely ask for, depending on the level of the need, they can ask for the Pittsburgh team.

1134
01:33:50,610 --> 01:33:59,470
If they feel like they want to really get in touch with somebody that same day because our teams they might not have capacity that day,

1135
01:33:59,690 --> 01:34:05,670
but a manager definitely will, they could always get in touch with us to at least have a line of communication with us.

1136
01:34:05,970 --> 01:34:11,530
Okay, thank you. And then the next question is trying to,

1137
01:34:20,590 --> 01:34:20,590
you know,

1138
01:34:20,590 --> 01:34:26,330
experiencing homelessness in the city of Pittsburgh. But then when I see 913

1139
01:34:26,330 --> 01:34:33,170
duplicated services, can you kind of share any context about the reality of the

1140
01:34:33,170 --> 01:34:36,010
picture of homelessness within the city of Pittsburgh, the number of

1141
01:34:36,010 --> 01:34:41,090
individuals, even as we're looking at these numbers? Absolutely 100%. So the

1142
01:34:41,090 --> 01:34:45,470
point in time count, it's a good metric to see what is observable,

1143
01:34:49,370 --> 01:34:49,690
what

1144
01:34:49,690 --> 01:34:54,710
But if we're doing the work day in and day out, we know that there might be some unhoused

1145
01:34:54,710 --> 01:35:01,730
individuals who are in the nooks and crannies, who might be hidden from sight, and who might

1146
01:35:01,730 --> 01:35:05,150
just not be visible unless you know where to find them.

1147
01:35:05,670 --> 01:35:09,490
So when we're doing our work every day, we're just learning about all those different

1148
01:35:09,490 --> 01:35:12,430
hotspots, like for example, Delta De Anza trail, right?

1149
01:35:13,390 --> 01:35:18,330
In doing the point count myself, we're driving around and for safety purposes,

1150
01:35:18,330 --> 01:35:22,190
is you should not get out of your vehicle. You should see what is observable. But when

1151
01:35:22,190 --> 01:35:27,430
I've been out in the field with Lino, he would know, okay, if we go behind this salon, I

1152
01:35:27,430 --> 01:35:30,930
know I'm going to find one individual that I'm working with. I'm trying to get him to

1153
01:35:30,930 --> 01:35:35,610
the DMV. Examples like that where you just have to know where to find them. And unless

1154
01:35:35,610 --> 01:35:37,550
you have a dedicated team, it's hard to do it.

1155
01:35:38,570 --> 01:35:43,190
Thank you. All right. So if there are no other questions or comments, we definitely

1156
01:35:43,190 --> 01:35:45,830
want to say thank you once again for coming out and making the presentation.

1157
01:35:46,270 --> 01:35:46,950
Thank you very much.

1158
01:35:46,950 --> 01:35:53,430
Thank you. All right. And so I'll turn it back over to the city manager for our

1159
01:35:53,430 --> 01:35:57,030
second presentation this evening. Thank you again mayor. This next item is an

1160
01:35:57,030 --> 01:36:02,130
update from Contra Costa Fire, a veto in Pistoto district fire chief to make the

1161
01:36:02,130 --> 01:36:02,590
presentation.

1162
01:36:08,910 --> 01:36:11,190
I just want to say first you're one of the few people that get

1163
01:36:11,190 --> 01:36:18,130
the name right right out of the gate. It's not easy. My name is Vito Pistoto.

1164
01:36:18,370 --> 01:36:21,250
I'm an assistant chief with Contra Costa County fire. I've been with the

1165
01:36:21,250 --> 01:36:26,090
district for a couple decades now. I've seen a lot of change and a lot of good

1166
01:36:26,090 --> 01:36:29,390
things happen over the years. I want to just take a few minutes to talk about

1167
01:36:29,390 --> 01:36:34,470
those things. I'll be very, very brief, maybe.

1168
01:36:37,410 --> 01:36:40,470
We are up to 35 fire stations with

1169
01:36:40,470 --> 01:36:44,810
41 engine companies or truck companies, so those would be what we would call a

1170
01:36:44,810 --> 01:36:47,230
double house, so two pieces of apparatus

1171
01:36:47,230 --> 01:36:50,370
that are both fully staffed.

1172
01:36:50,430 --> 01:36:54,130
Antioch has one, Concord, San Pablo, Bay Point.

1173
01:36:54,890 --> 01:36:57,290
You guys, unfortunately, do not have a double company,

1174
01:36:57,370 --> 01:36:58,990
but that's okay because you have a lot

1175
01:36:58,990 --> 01:37:01,950
of other cool things here I consider cool.

1176
01:37:02,210 --> 01:37:03,790
You've got a truck company down the street

1177
01:37:03,790 --> 01:37:07,110
that as I was pulling in, saw it going over the hill

1178
01:37:07,110 --> 01:37:09,410
to Concord to help out.

1179
01:37:09,590 --> 01:37:11,750
You have the boat that is at the Pittsburgh Marina

1180
01:37:11,750 --> 01:37:18,510
that is constantly busy and one of our biggest things that I'll just talk very

1181
01:37:18,510 --> 01:37:24,050
briefly about it's not here in the slide presentation is that hazmat company is

1182
01:37:24,050 --> 01:37:31,710
up the road on Leland at station 87 so we have a fully staffed hazmat program

1183
01:37:31,710 --> 01:37:36,650
now and the next annexation is in the works with Contra Costa County Health

1184
01:37:36,650 --> 01:37:43,350
We're taking over the COPA, the county's hazmat program.

1185
01:37:43,710 --> 01:37:45,830
So that means that we'll be doing the inspections.

1186
01:37:46,530 --> 01:37:49,550
We'll be doing the collecting of all the hazardous materials.

1187
01:37:49,690 --> 01:37:51,270
Right now, we just mitigate the problem,

1188
01:37:51,510 --> 01:37:55,930
stop the flow of a tank that is boiling over

1189
01:37:55,930 --> 01:37:58,290
or have a toxic substance.

1190
01:37:58,490 --> 01:37:59,370
We just stop it.

1191
01:38:00,030 --> 01:38:01,890
The county will come in later, and they'll

1192
01:38:01,890 --> 01:38:04,110
mitigate the cleanup of all that.

1193
01:38:04,110 --> 01:38:09,790
But now we're all one big happy family and that will happen sometime in July, it should

1194
01:38:09,790 --> 01:38:10,190
be done.

1195
01:38:11,250 --> 01:38:16,530
We do have a reserve station way over the hill in Martinez, up in Breone's, up in the

1196
01:38:16,530 --> 01:38:16,790
hills.

1197
01:38:17,510 --> 01:38:23,710
We have a staffed wildland center, which is the old Byron Boys Ranch, hopefully none

1198
01:38:23,710 --> 01:38:30,730
of us spent any time there in the past, it is our staffed wildland center.

1199
01:38:30,730 --> 01:38:39,010
so our hand crew, which is usually staffed all year round with two crews. So there are

1200
01:38:39,010 --> 01:38:44,950
18 kids, I call them, 18 to 22 years old. They're the ones out there scratching line

1201
01:38:44,950 --> 01:38:48,010
with hand tools, all the stuff I don't want to do anymore.

1202
01:38:50,130 --> 01:38:52,330
They are very well respected

1203
01:38:52,330 --> 01:38:57,670
around the state and asked to help in the mutual aid system up and down. They have

1204
01:38:57,670 --> 01:39:03,010
traveled this year down south to some of the fires that we've had but that's

1205
01:39:03,010 --> 01:39:06,490
where they're centered out of and we'll talk a little bit about the helicopter

1206
01:39:06,490 --> 01:39:15,330
that we contracted with in a minute. We're well over 700 folks both suppression

1207
01:39:15,330 --> 01:39:20,310
and up at the headquarters and our Prevention Bureau all of those people

1208
01:39:20,310 --> 01:39:26,070
so we are really really growing and it's been good to see over the years

1209
01:39:26,070 --> 01:39:32,010
to us for us to rebound from, I remember the economic downturn, I remember closing stations

1210
01:39:32,010 --> 01:39:38,910
and not having as many firefighters as we did when I got hired. It's been very good to

1211
01:39:38,910 --> 01:39:45,490
see us go to where we are today. If you see a lot of our apparatus, you'll see that they're

1212
01:39:45,490 --> 01:39:50,670
mostly new within the last decade. If you look around the state of California, you

1213
01:39:50,670 --> 01:39:53,070
we won't see a fleet as good as ours

1214
01:39:53,070 --> 01:39:55,930
and that's attributed to our administration

1215
01:39:56,350 --> 01:39:58,530
and how they've funded the programs

1216
01:39:58,530 --> 01:40:00,570
and really kept us going.

1217
01:40:01,350 --> 01:40:03,650
COVID, still talking about COVID,

1218
01:40:03,790 --> 01:40:06,650
it really did slow us down in getting new apparatus.

1219
01:40:06,990 --> 01:40:08,750
We have a lot of apparatus on the order

1220
01:40:08,750 --> 01:40:11,730
and they'll be here and you'll see even newer,

1221
01:40:12,010 --> 01:40:13,630
shinier stuff out there.

1222
01:40:14,710 --> 01:40:19,430
I don't wanna get too deep into the numbers here.

1223
01:40:19,430 --> 01:40:24,170
I just want to point out a couple things. These are this is the 4th of July, the difference

1224
01:40:24,170 --> 01:40:33,830
between 2024 and 2025 in Contra Costa County, the areas that we serve. So you'll see there's

1225
01:40:33,830 --> 01:40:41,890
a dip from 25 to 24. And that's a good thing, right? We would like to have less calls on

1226
01:40:41,890 --> 01:40:46,390
the 4th of July. And I think a lot of that has to do with education. A lot of it has

1227
01:40:46,390 --> 01:40:50,110
to do with the weather has been very cooperative this fire season.

1228
01:40:52,770 --> 01:40:55,150
So in that respect, it was

1229
01:40:55,150 --> 01:41:01,170
a good year. We still did have a few fires, a lot of fireworks over, illegal fireworks

1230
01:41:01,170 --> 01:41:05,830
over the Fourth of July. So you saw all of that. The other thing I want to point out

1231
01:41:05,830 --> 01:41:08,690
is if you look at the 2024 with

1232
01:41:26,540 --> 01:41:29,260
the unhoused, we see a lot of warming fires and cooking

1233
01:41:29,260 --> 01:41:37,540
fires that get out of hand and then you have a few acres of grass going. Also as you go eastward

1234
01:41:38,420 --> 01:41:47,260
from here east you start you see more dry flashy light fuels lots of grass so that stuff tends to

1235
01:41:47,260 --> 01:41:53,460
burn a lot quicker and ignites a lot easier as you start to move eastward you're in

1236
01:41:53,460 --> 01:41:58,620
heavier brush and it's not as easy to ignite. So if you're looking at those

1237
01:41:58,620 --> 01:42:03,120
numbers and you're curious I think those are some of the reasons why you see a

1238
01:42:03,960 --> 01:42:09,220
lot of exterior fires, structure fires, and brush fires here in Pittsburgh and

1239
01:42:09,220 --> 01:42:16,280
Antioch. There is a dip again. I'm very grateful for the weather this past

1240
01:42:16,280 --> 01:42:21,540
wildland season. We did not have a single red flag day that we announced.

1241
01:42:21,540 --> 01:42:25,120
the wildland season is clearly over now, which is great.

1242
01:42:25,820 --> 01:42:29,440
So we've had a good year weather-wise

1243
01:42:29,440 --> 01:42:31,760
and that has helped us keep the fires down,

1244
01:42:31,900 --> 01:42:35,360
and I think education has another big part of that.

1245
01:42:36,840 --> 01:42:40,680
For the second year wildland season,

1246
01:42:40,840 --> 01:42:44,120
we contracted an aerial firefighting helicopter.

1247
01:42:44,640 --> 01:42:46,380
The thing that we did different this year

1248
01:42:46,380 --> 01:42:48,220
than we've done in the previous year

1249
01:42:48,220 --> 01:42:50,620
is we put a fire captain on the helicopter

1250
01:42:50,620 --> 01:42:52,740
helicopter with the pilot to help us communicate.

1251
01:42:54,100 --> 01:42:56,860
One of the first fires that we had

1252
01:42:57,400 --> 01:43:00,520
that the helicopter was in use was at the Old Pittsburgh Golf Course.

1253
01:43:01,000 --> 01:43:04,500
They did some amazing things, standing right under it,

1254
01:43:04,640 --> 01:43:07,900
scared to death because they're right next to the power lines

1255
01:43:07,900 --> 01:43:12,440
and they're dipping out of canals and really keeping that fire in check.

1256
01:43:13,360 --> 01:43:16,580
It has been a really good resources for us to have.

1257
01:43:16,580 --> 01:43:21,460
PG&E covers half the cost. We cover the other half of the cost. We're working on

1258
01:43:21,460 --> 01:43:28,920
the contract for that for the next year. It reported to 23 different fires. It had

1259
01:43:28,920 --> 01:43:34,320
183 water drops and it dropped almost 60,000 gallons of water. So it's a lot

1260
01:43:34,320 --> 01:43:39,060
of water considering it only holds about 300 gallons of water in the

1261
01:43:39,060 --> 01:43:46,040
in the tank. So it was used very well and very frequently even though our

1262
01:43:47,020 --> 01:43:54,080
season was less than normal. Some significant incidents in Pittsburgh from

1263
01:43:54,080 --> 01:44:01,280
January to July, again, we only burned about 22 and a half acres which is really,

1264
01:44:01,340 --> 01:44:04,960
really light if you look over our historical data.

1265
01:44:04,960 --> 01:44:07,820
to get 123 exterior fires.

1266
01:44:08,940 --> 01:44:13,980
We had two significant fires in June and July,

1267
01:44:14,300 --> 01:44:17,540
and that was a working commercial fire on Crestview.

1268
01:44:17,780 --> 01:44:21,660
That was a two alarm commercial fire.

1269
01:44:22,060 --> 01:44:24,620
And then in July, we had a veg fire on Kerger Pass,

1270
01:44:24,820 --> 01:44:25,620
if you remember.

1271
01:44:26,420 --> 01:44:29,160
So again, pretty light on fires,

1272
01:44:29,300 --> 01:44:31,280
and that's a good place to be,

1273
01:44:31,280 --> 01:44:39,800
unless you're a young firefighter that wants to go to fires. In 2025 we had seven working

1274
01:44:39,800 --> 01:44:47,720
residential structure fires as compared to 14 in 2024 so again the data is doing well for us.

1275
01:44:50,770 --> 01:44:58,530
Just some numbers for you to look at over 7,000 almost 8,000 calls for service from January to

1276
01:44:58,530 --> 01:44:59,010
September

1277
01:45:00,900 --> 01:45:07,840
And those calls for service are everything from medicals, Code 2 falls, traffic accidents,

1278
01:45:08,600 --> 01:45:10,680
PD requests, whatever it might be.

1279
01:45:13,320 --> 01:45:16,780
You can see that typically our medicals are our highest

1280
01:45:16,780 --> 01:45:23,820
number of calls and then going all the way down the list from ambulance-onlys to alarms,

1281
01:45:24,040 --> 01:45:29,860
vehicle accidents, rescues, structure fires, vegetation fires, all those things you'll

1282
01:45:29,860 --> 01:45:32,020
see here in the data as well.

1283
01:45:35,400 --> 01:45:38,260
We want to continue, because I think the education component

1284
01:45:38,260 --> 01:45:43,040
is really important for us to prevent wildfire

1285
01:45:43,040 --> 01:45:47,080
and prevent loss of structures because of exterior fires.

1286
01:45:47,920 --> 01:45:51,000
We see over the years, a lot of exterior fires

1287
01:45:51,000 --> 01:45:55,520
that will turn into loss of structures, residents

1288
01:45:55,520 --> 01:45:57,600
having to be displaced, all those things,

1289
01:45:57,720 --> 01:45:59,300
they start from something small.

1290
01:45:59,300 --> 01:46:06,680
So, the QR code will help you or anybody who is interested develop a plan for a wildfire,

1291
01:46:07,300 --> 01:46:10,020
what to do, where to go, all that good stuff.

1292
01:46:12,940 --> 01:46:14,020
And that's it.

1293
01:46:14,720 --> 01:46:18,200
I'm happy to take any questions or if you guys want to come out and take some photos

1294
01:46:18,200 --> 01:46:20,040
with me, I'm happy to do that as well.

1295
01:46:23,190 --> 01:46:24,990
Thank you for the presentation.

1296
01:46:25,570 --> 01:46:27,270
I look to my colleagues.

1297
01:46:27,450 --> 01:46:30,030
Are there any questions or questions for this presentation?

1298
01:46:33,130 --> 01:46:38,550
I have a question around like the dip in the numbers that you've seen from year to year.

1299
01:46:38,890 --> 01:46:42,990
Are you seeing more people hardening around their homes or their businesses?

1300
01:46:43,310 --> 01:46:44,650
Is that contributing to that as well?

1301
01:46:45,250 --> 01:46:52,710
I can't say for certain that that is a cause to help lower those numbers down.

1302
01:46:52,890 --> 01:46:58,450
I know that in this last year, I haven't heard the word home hardening as much as I've heard in this last year.

1303
01:46:58,450 --> 01:47:02,410
people are really engaged in that. I actually have a few friends in the

1304
01:47:02,410 --> 01:47:07,290
civilian world that that's what they're doing now. It's become a big thing. I

1305
01:47:07,290 --> 01:47:13,330
think the Palisades fire down south really opened up the eyes of a lot of

1306
01:47:13,330 --> 01:47:18,790
homeowners and business owners to think about what they need to do to protect

1307
01:47:18,790 --> 01:47:23,630
their homes. So I don't know exactly but I know that that's a big buzzword

1308
01:47:23,630 --> 01:47:26,470
right now and a lot of folks are trying to take care of their property.

1309
01:47:26,470 --> 01:47:30,610
Yeah, I'm starting to hear it in Sacramento, so I was curious if you were seeing people

1310
01:47:30,610 --> 01:47:32,090
that are kind of early adopters.

1311
01:47:32,710 --> 01:47:33,430
Yeah, definitely.

1312
01:47:33,930 --> 01:47:34,450
Thank you.

1313
01:47:37,480 --> 01:47:38,500
Any other questions or comments?

1314
01:47:40,360 --> 01:47:43,140
Once again, I want to say thank you for coming out and making the presentation.

1315
01:47:43,640 --> 01:47:43,820
All right.

1316
01:47:44,200 --> 01:47:44,940
Thank you, thank you.

1317
01:47:50,770 --> 01:47:51,030
All right.

1318
01:47:51,130 --> 01:47:54,490
At this time, we're going to move on to City Manager Reports and Remarks, and I'll

1319
01:47:54,490 --> 01:47:55,430
turn it over to the City Manager.

1320
01:47:56,370 --> 01:47:57,070
Thank you.

1321
01:47:57,210 --> 01:47:58,330
I only have one item.

1322
01:47:59,510 --> 01:48:02,930
This Thursday, November 20th, is the State of the City.

1323
01:48:02,930 --> 01:48:08,350
It's at the Marina Center, 340 Marina Boulevard, the doors open at 6, and the event starts at

1324
01:48:08,350 --> 01:48:08,830
630.

1325
01:48:08,890 --> 01:48:09,770
Hope to see everyone there.

1326
01:48:12,720 --> 01:48:13,180
All right.

1327
01:48:13,280 --> 01:48:13,740
Thank you.

1328
01:48:14,040 --> 01:48:15,840
So we will move on to committee reports.

1329
01:48:16,540 --> 01:48:19,620
Council members may make a report on their committee assignments at this time.

1330
01:48:20,400 --> 01:48:24,120
Do any of my colleagues have any committees to report out of this evening?

1331
01:48:26,320 --> 01:48:26,580
All right.

1332
01:48:26,760 --> 01:48:32,880
Seeing none, we are going to move on to public comments, and I'll turn to the

1333
01:48:32,880 --> 01:48:35,960
City Clerk if we have any public comments this evening.

1334
01:48:35,960 --> 01:48:37,660
No, we do not moving

1335
01:48:40,250 --> 01:48:45,830
right along. We're going to move on to the first consideration item and I will turn it over to the city manager

1336
01:48:46,470 --> 01:48:53,070
Thank you very much. This first consideration item is for the appointment of candidates to the two vacant positions

1337
01:48:53,070 --> 01:48:58,270
One of which is in the planning commission and the other one is to the community advisory commissions

1338
01:48:58,270 --> 01:49:03,310
So this will require two votes by the city council one for each commission

1339
01:49:07,470 --> 01:49:08,570
before

1340
01:49:09,650 --> 01:49:12,290
I guess just getting to the nomination. Are there any comments?

1341
01:49:12,710 --> 01:49:18,270
Or any thoughts that my colleagues would like to share as we consider this appointment?

1342
01:49:18,830 --> 01:49:26,850
And if not, then I will open it up in terms of candidates to nominate and just state which

1343
01:49:26,850 --> 01:49:29,610
commission we're looking to appoint them to.

1344
01:49:32,630 --> 01:49:33,230
Vice Mayor?

1345
01:49:33,650 --> 01:49:34,530
Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

1346
01:49:34,670 --> 01:49:36,870
I do have a nomination for the Planning Commission.

1347
01:49:37,510 --> 01:49:43,190
I would like to nominate Jennifer Ingram for the Planning Commissioner role.

1348
01:49:48,590 --> 01:49:52,010
Yeah, if you support that nomination, then yeah, you can put a second.

1349
01:49:52,290 --> 01:49:56,390
Through the Mayor, I second the nomination made by Vice Mayor Adams.

1350
01:49:56,990 --> 01:50:05,930
All right. So we have a motion by Vice Mayor Adams and a second by Councilor Lopez to appoint Jennifer Ingram to the Planning Commission.

1351
01:50:06,970 --> 01:50:11,590
So with that, I believe we're going to be doing, oh, we're working.

1352
01:50:11,830 --> 01:50:13,630
Okay. So we can go ahead and cast your votes.

1353
01:50:13,630 --> 01:50:14,330
at

1354
01:50:38,010 --> 01:50:42,790
motion passes 5-0. I see Ms. Ingram in the audience this evening. Congratulations

1355
01:50:42,790 --> 01:50:44,430
on your appointment to the Planning Commission.

1356
01:50:49,170 --> 01:50:51,430
All right. So is there a

1357
01:50:51,430 --> 01:50:54,950
nomination for appointment to the Community Advisory Commission at this

1358
01:50:54,950 --> 01:51:02,810
time? Councilmember Cabada. For CAC, I'd like to... Bruce Smargiasso.

1359
01:51:08,570 --> 01:51:09,210
So we have a

1360
01:51:09,210 --> 01:51:14,650
motion. Through the Mayor. I'll second that motion. All right. So we have a

1361
01:51:14,650 --> 01:51:18,790
motion by Council Member Cabada, a second by Council Member Lopez to appoint Bruce

1362
01:51:19,430 --> 01:51:23,550
Smart-Gasso to the Community Advisory Commission. Go ahead and cast your votes.

1363
01:51:30,700 --> 01:51:36,680
And that motion passes 5-0. So congratulations to Bruce. I don't think

1364
01:51:36,680 --> 01:51:41,800
he's here this evening, but staff will notify him. So at this time we're going

1365
01:51:41,800 --> 01:51:45,180
to move on to the next consideration item, item number 10, and I'll turn it

1366
01:51:45,180 --> 01:51:48,400
over to the City Manager. Thank you very much. This one's a long

1367
01:51:48,400 --> 01:51:54,320
long time. This is to introduce and waive first reading of an ordinance to

1368
01:51:54,320 --> 01:51:59,960
adopt by reference the 2025 California Building Code residential code, electric

1369
01:51:59,960 --> 01:52:04,760
code, electrical code, fire code, wildland urban interface code, mechanical

1370
01:52:04,760 --> 01:52:09,140
code, plumbing code, historical building code, green building standards

1371
01:52:09,140 --> 01:52:15,160
code, existing building code, and energy code. So with us this evening is

1372
01:52:15,160 --> 01:52:17,040
Shelby Rose, our chief building official,

1373
01:52:17,260 --> 01:52:20,120
with her is Nick Henderson from Forleaf,

1374
01:52:20,180 --> 01:52:21,180
as well as Jordan Davis,

1375
01:52:21,620 --> 01:52:23,900
our director of community and economic development.

1376
01:52:25,280 --> 01:52:26,140
Good evening.

1377
01:52:30,010 --> 01:52:31,910
Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

1378
01:52:32,770 --> 01:52:34,810
Every three years, the State of California

1379
01:52:34,810 --> 01:52:37,750
adopts the new California Building Standards Code,

1380
01:52:38,130 --> 01:52:40,230
also known as Title 24.

1381
01:52:41,530 --> 01:52:45,670
I won't repeat all the titles that Maria spoke of.

1382
01:52:45,670 --> 01:52:53,970
More recently, though, it has included a standalone volume of the Wildland Urban Interface Standards.

1383
01:52:55,210 --> 01:53:02,990
The 2025 Code Cycle focuses on fire resilience, sustainability, and construction safety.

1384
01:53:04,150 --> 01:53:09,150
The purpose of this action is to keep Pittsburgh aligned with current state law and building

1385
01:53:09,150 --> 01:53:09,690
practices.

1386
01:53:09,690 --> 01:53:10,870
The

1387
01:53:13,040 --> 01:53:18,320
statewide code changes are incorporated into multiple chapters of the Pittsburgh Municipal

1388
01:53:18,320 --> 01:53:20,340
Code under the Title 15.

1389
01:53:22,190 --> 01:53:27,560
Chapters seen here on this slide are being updated to reflect the 2025 California Building

1390
01:53:27,560 --> 01:53:27,980
Codes.

1391
01:53:28,700 --> 01:53:36,400
You will see that Chapter 15.21 is being added to formally adopt the Wildland Urban

1392
01:53:36,400 --> 01:53:45,760
Interface or WUI standards as a standalone chapter. These standards are not new. They were previously

1393
01:53:45,760 --> 01:53:52,700
embedded within the California Building Code, specifically Chapter 7A. The state has now separated

1394
01:53:52,700 --> 01:53:58,820
these provisions into their own dedicated WUI code, and our local adoption follows that structure.

1395
01:53:58,820 --> 01:53:59,900
So,

1396
01:54:02,200 --> 01:54:04,400
what's new in the 2025 codes?

1397
01:54:05,480 --> 01:54:12,480
We have updated wildland-urban interface standards aligned with new fire hazard severity zones,

1398
01:54:13,800 --> 01:54:19,940
stronger wildfire mitigation requirements, including ignition-resistant materials and

1399
01:54:19,940 --> 01:54:22,020
vegetation management expectations.

1400
01:54:23,340 --> 01:54:29,740
The updated energy code pushes further towards electrification and higher efficiency

1401
01:54:29,740 --> 01:54:36,440
performance. It introduces stronger requirements for heat pump HVAC systems,

1402
01:54:38,280 --> 01:54:43,360
lowers allowable lighting power for both indoor and outdoor applications,

1403
01:54:44,160 --> 01:54:49,740
and improves insulation and envelope standards to minimize energy loss, for

1404
01:54:49,740 --> 01:54:54,580
some examples. We have structural code changes related to seismic detailing,

1405
01:54:54,580 --> 01:55:02,880
wind loads and connections and the accessibility updates incorporate recent

1406
01:55:02,880 --> 01:55:09,080
ADA clarifications including revised requirements for ramp, handrail extensions

1407
01:55:09,080 --> 01:55:15,300
and landing configurations. Updated reach range standards for operated parts

1408
01:55:15,300 --> 01:55:21,280
consistent with federal ADA guidance and new specifications for accessible

1409
01:55:21,280 --> 01:55:24,000
electric vehicle charging spaces.

1410
01:55:27,360 --> 01:55:29,400
So let's talk a little bit more about the

1411
01:55:29,400 --> 01:55:35,620
wooey and what it is and how it affects our community. The wildland urban

1412
01:55:35,620 --> 01:55:41,300
interface refers to areas where structures are located near or among

1413
01:55:41,300 --> 01:55:49,800
wildland vegetation such as brush, trees, grasslands, and hillsides. Because of

1414
01:55:49,800 --> 01:55:56,560
makes these areas carry elevated wildfire risk. The key goal of the WUI is

1415
01:55:56,560 --> 01:56:03,200
home hardening to reduce ignition risk and to improve overall community

1416
01:56:03,200 --> 01:56:09,100
protection and resilience. Homes in WUI zones have stronger construction

1417
01:56:09,100 --> 01:56:14,340
standards aimed at ignition resistant materials and I know I keep saying that

1418
01:56:14,340 --> 01:56:24,700
For example, fire-resistant siding, protected vents and eaves, and non-combustible or treated decks.

1419
01:56:25,880 --> 01:56:30,120
This is intended at stopping members from igniting structures.

1420
01:56:31,880 --> 01:56:34,200
Defensible space is also vital.

1421
01:56:35,460 --> 01:56:43,340
Ensuring vegetation around homes is properly cleared, spaced, and maintained to slow fire

1422
01:56:43,340 --> 01:56:43,700
spread.

1423
01:56:45,300 --> 01:56:54,360
Fire access and infrastructure improvements are part of wooey compliance, including updated

1424
01:56:54,360 --> 01:57:01,760
requirements for driveway widths, road grades, turnarounds, and adequate water supply.

1425
01:57:01,760 --> 01:57:02,840
This

1426
01:57:04,950 --> 01:57:11,390
next slide shows the local responsibility area fire hazard severity

1427
01:57:11,390 --> 01:57:18,550
zones adopted by the state fire marshal in February of 2025. These maps

1428
01:57:18,550 --> 01:57:23,500
determine where we requirements apply and guide both construction and

1429
01:57:24,070 --> 01:57:30,230
vegetation management expectations. Applicants will be required to

1430
01:57:30,230 --> 01:57:34,930
consult these maps during project review to determine applicable standards.

1431
01:57:36,730 --> 01:57:40,310
For more information, you can visit the web address at the top of this slide.

1432
01:57:41,990 --> 01:57:45,310
I pulled some of these images off of there for you.

1433
01:57:49,180 --> 01:57:57,880
Lastly, bear with me please, staff recommends City Council introduce, wave further reading

1434
01:57:57,880 --> 01:58:10,160
and passed a second reading, the ordinance repealing chapters 15.08, 15.16, 15.18, 15.20,

1435
01:58:10,160 --> 01:58:27,400
15.21, 15.22, 15.26, 15.28, 15.32, 15.60 and 15.64 of the Pittsburgh

1436
01:58:27,400 --> 01:58:35,480
municipal code and adopting the 2025 California building code, residential

1437
01:58:35,480 --> 01:58:46,380
Central Code, Electrical Code, Fire Code, Wildland Urban Interface, Mechanical Code, Plumbing

1438
01:58:46,380 --> 01:58:53,540
Code, Historical Building Code, Green Building Standards Code, Existing Building Code, and

1439
01:58:53,540 --> 01:58:57,200
Energy Code with State of California and Local Amendments.

1440
01:58:57,920 --> 01:59:03,140
This action maintains compliance with state law, it ensures safe construction practices

1441
01:59:03,140 --> 01:59:07,900
and incorporates current wildfire resilience requirements.

1442
01:59:09,080 --> 01:59:09,740
Thank you.

1443
01:59:09,920 --> 01:59:10,880
Do you have any questions?

1444
01:59:13,720 --> 01:59:15,300
Thank you for the presentation.

1445
01:59:16,000 --> 01:59:19,880
Do any of my colleagues have any questions for staff on this item?

1446
01:59:21,020 --> 01:59:21,660
Vice Mayor?

1447
01:59:22,720 --> 01:59:25,780
I'm just on a roll with all this fire talk tonight.

1448
01:59:27,100 --> 01:59:32,220
And building code language question around is there,

1449
01:59:32,380 --> 01:59:34,400
what's the cost to us to adopt these changes?

1450
01:59:34,400 --> 01:59:41,560
And is there any support from the state or region if there is a cost to us to adopt these changes?

1451
01:59:44,130 --> 01:59:48,850
The cost that would be for our new code books that we're going to be getting soon.

1452
01:59:50,770 --> 01:59:53,610
But I do not foresee a cost.

1453
01:59:53,610 --> 01:59:59,850
We are working with staff and...

1454
02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:09,700
Outside agency for electrification and getting that outreach to the community and businesses.

1455
02:00:10,760 --> 02:00:14,100
That is so far, that is just our staff time.

1456
02:00:14,580 --> 02:00:20,240
Understood. That's helpful. So I sit on another board around electrification with the airboard

1457
02:00:20,240 --> 02:00:25,660
and so I know there's some equity and social justice concerns. Just was curious if any

1458
02:00:25,660 --> 02:00:29,580
of that impacted us but it sounds like it may be on the other side with the measures

1459
02:00:29,580 --> 02:00:31,940
and things that might come to market, so thank you.

1460
02:00:32,340 --> 02:00:32,680
You're welcome.

1461
02:00:32,840 --> 02:00:33,160
Thank you.

1462
02:00:35,670 --> 02:00:37,270
Any additional questions from Council?

1463
02:00:39,010 --> 02:00:42,130
I would just ask to touch a little bit on the tail end

1464
02:00:42,130 --> 02:00:45,590
of the Vice Mayor's comments or more of your response

1465
02:00:45,590 --> 02:00:47,810
around outreach and just communications.

1466
02:00:50,030 --> 02:00:50,270
Do we,

1467
02:00:53,130 --> 02:00:54,930
I see it definitely for the development community

1468
02:00:54,930 --> 02:00:57,150
they'll be going through the process in terms of building

1469
02:00:57,150 --> 02:01:00,330
and staff will be working with them through that.

1470
02:01:00,570 --> 02:01:02,710
But do we see any for like residential side

1471
02:01:02,710 --> 02:01:07,450
in terms of local residents that may need to understand some of these changes as

1472
02:01:07,450 --> 02:01:12,210
it may impact the work that may be doing around their houses if they're in these

1473
02:01:12,210 --> 02:01:20,050
is an underweigh. Yes so a couple different we've we're working with an

1474
02:01:20,050 --> 02:01:31,130
outside company that has we have our social media we're preparing that to

1475
02:01:31,130 --> 02:01:32,470
post that.

1476
02:01:34,490 --> 02:01:41,230
On the permitting side there is ways to help streamline the switch

1477
02:01:41,230 --> 02:01:46,350
over to make for electrification. Can you think of anything else?

1478
02:01:50,530 --> 02:01:51,910
I'll build off

1479
02:01:51,910 --> 02:01:56,930
that a little bit mayor. The code allows us for some flexibility so if we have

1480
02:01:56,930 --> 02:02:01,390
plans that have already been submitted or plans that we know are in design

1481
02:02:01,390 --> 02:02:05,930
right now. It does give us a little bit of flexibility to make a call as to

1482
02:02:05,930 --> 02:02:10,470
whether or not we're going to apply this code versus the 2022 code. So if

1483
02:02:10,470 --> 02:02:15,110
somebody comes in and we'll just paint a scenario here, somebody says, I didn't

1484
02:02:15,110 --> 02:02:17,810
realize there was a new code. I've been working with this architect for the

1485
02:02:17,810 --> 02:02:21,130
past six months. They didn't say anything. We can work with them. For the

1486
02:02:21,130 --> 02:02:25,950
most part, your small repairs and changes and things like that aren't

1487
02:02:25,950 --> 02:02:32,430
going to be too affected. There may be certain things that are being phased out, but for

1488
02:02:32,430 --> 02:02:38,810
the time being, we'll be able to work with customers to replace their water heaters and

1489
02:02:38,810 --> 02:02:44,830
replace their roofs without too much of a change, if any. Fortunately, everybody knows

1490
02:02:44,830 --> 02:02:48,990
that these code cycles take place, and so architects and engineers are really good

1491
02:02:48,990 --> 02:02:53,210
about anticipating, hey, based on your timing, we're going to work in some of the things

1492
02:02:53,210 --> 02:02:59,270
that we're anticipating seeing coming into the fire code and if there are comment plan

1493
02:02:59,270 --> 02:03:06,910
or plan comments on plans usually those can be addressed before materials are purchased

1494
02:03:06,910 --> 02:03:12,110
or contractors are hired or anything like that so far larger developments it's going

1495
02:03:12,110 --> 02:03:16,590
to be baked in they're going to understand what's going on for the small DIY or we

1496
02:03:16,590 --> 02:03:18,850
don't anticipate that there's going to be much of an effect at all.

1497
02:03:19,550 --> 02:03:20,210
Thank you.

1498
02:03:20,210 --> 02:03:24,960
All right, if there are no other questions from council,

1499
02:03:25,360 --> 02:03:26,440
Madam Clerk, do we have any,

1500
02:03:27,160 --> 02:03:28,480
but before we go to public comment.

1501
02:03:29,560 --> 02:03:30,240
Thank you, Mayor.

1502
02:03:30,380 --> 02:03:33,620
I do want to add, you asked about outreach to the community.

1503
02:03:34,600 --> 02:03:37,960
So staff has been working with Contracross of Fire

1504
02:03:37,960 --> 02:03:39,680
to bring a defensible space

1505
02:03:39,680 --> 02:03:41,960
and home hardening presentation to our community.

1506
02:03:42,360 --> 02:03:44,480
And that is to educate our residents

1507
02:03:44,480 --> 02:03:47,160
on some of the items that we've talked about

1508
02:03:47,160 --> 02:03:48,180
as well as being prepared.

1509
02:03:48,440 --> 02:03:50,980
And that's scheduled to be the spring of next year.

1510
02:03:50,980 --> 02:03:57,600
so I'm coming soon. Thank you for sharing that. Madam Clerk, do we have any public comments on

1511
02:03:57,600 --> 02:04:03,340
this item? No, we do not. All right. Seeing none, I'll bring it back to the council. What is the

1512
02:04:03,340 --> 02:04:09,900
pleasure of the council on this item? Vice Mayor? Thank you. Through the mayor, I will make a motion

1513
02:04:09,900 --> 02:04:15,120
to introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance to adopt by reference the 2025

1514
02:04:15,120 --> 02:04:21,020
California Building Code, Residential Code, Electric Code, Fire Code, Wildland Code, Urban

1515
02:04:21,020 --> 02:04:26,420
Interface Code, The Wooy. I love how you said that. Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Historical

1516
02:04:26,420 --> 02:04:32,180
Building Code, Green Building Standards Code, Existing Building Code, and Energy Code with

1517
02:04:32,180 --> 02:04:40,720
the State of California and Local Amendments. We have a motion by Vice Mayor Adams. Is

1518
02:04:40,720 --> 02:04:43,880
there a second? Yeah, through the mayor. I'll second. All right. We have a motion

1519
02:04:43,880 --> 02:04:46,300
in a second on the item. Go ahead and cast your votes.

1520
02:04:52,350 --> 02:04:53,830
And that motion passes unanimously.

1521
02:04:55,130 --> 02:04:58,970
So at this time, we're going to move on to the next consideration item number 11.

1522
02:04:59,770 --> 02:05:04,290
And I'll turn it back over to the city measure. Thank you very much. This next item is an

1523
02:05:04,290 --> 02:05:08,830
introduction and waving of the first reading of an ordinance to amend the municipal code

1524
02:05:08,830 --> 02:05:14,210
in order to increase city council salaries. With tonight presenting this item is

1525
02:05:14,210 --> 02:05:16,670
Malaine Venenciano, Director of City Clerk Services.

1526
02:05:17,770 --> 02:05:18,670
Good evening.

1527
02:05:19,850 --> 02:05:25,230
This item was discussed in the Finance Subcommittee on September 19, 2025.

1528
02:05:26,270 --> 02:05:28,490
So I would like to share a little bit of background with you.

1529
02:05:29,310 --> 02:05:33,070
The last time Council salary was increased was back in 1995.

1530
02:05:33,990 --> 02:05:37,590
State law authorized city councils of general law cities

1531
02:05:38,070 --> 02:05:41,270
to receive specified salary based on population.

1532
02:05:41,270 --> 02:05:48,170
And at that time, Pittsburgh estimated the population was more than 50,000 and set the

1533
02:05:48,170 --> 02:05:51,030
salary amount at $500 per month.

1534
02:05:53,140 --> 02:05:56,920
This is the screenshot of our current mini-code, so you can see how it reads.

1535
02:05:57,740 --> 02:06:02,220
And it also includes the government code that established a monthly salary amount based

1536
02:06:02,220 --> 02:06:06,300
on population, and that's government code 36516.

1537
02:06:08,140 --> 02:06:13,540
In 2023, SB 329 amended existing law.

1538
02:06:14,420 --> 02:06:20,960
The state acknowledged that since 1984, there has not been a salary increase for councils for general law cities.

1539
02:06:22,000 --> 02:06:29,600
They also acknowledged that by allowing cities to increase salary for inflation, it may help in recruiting a more diverse council.

1540
02:06:30,320 --> 02:06:36,180
Similar to previous law, it also established the salary amounts based on the city's population.

1541
02:06:38,590 --> 02:06:43,430
This slide shows the salary amounts that cities can pay up to based on population.

1542
02:06:44,350 --> 02:06:47,030
Section 2D is where Pittsburgh falls under.

1543
02:06:48,450 --> 02:06:55,290
It states that cities with populations over 75,000 up to and including 150,000,

1544
02:06:55,650 --> 02:06:58,630
the salary can be up to $1,900 per month.

1545
02:06:58,630 --> 02:07:02,570
So you may be asking, how can population be determined?

1546
02:07:03,570 --> 02:07:10,730
A city's population can be determined by the most recent census or an estimate validated by the State Department of Finance.

1547
02:07:13,230 --> 02:07:19,130
SB 329 does allow buy ordinance for salaries to be increased beyond the amount provided.

1548
02:07:20,050 --> 02:07:24,930
However, the amount of the increase shall not exceed the greater of either of the following.

1549
02:07:24,930 --> 02:07:32,730
A, an amount equal to 5% for each calendar year from the operative date of the last adjustment

1550
02:07:33,490 --> 02:07:38,670
of the salary in effect at the time the ordinance or its amendment is enacted.

1551
02:07:39,270 --> 02:07:46,030
Or B, an amount equal to inflation since January 1st, 2024, based upon the California

1552
02:07:46,030 --> 02:07:50,110
CPI, which shall not exceed 10% for each calendar year.

1553
02:07:50,110 --> 02:07:55,050
The law also prohibits city council from automatically authorizing future

1554
02:07:55,050 --> 02:08:02,130
increases. I do want to point out that SB 329 defines that salary does not

1555
02:08:02,130 --> 02:08:07,310
include any amounts paid for retirement, health and welfare, and federal social

1556
02:08:07,310 --> 02:08:13,510
security benefits, so long as the same benefits are available and paid by the

1557
02:08:13,510 --> 02:08:17,970
city for its employees. And that is the case here in Pittsburgh, since the

1558
02:08:17,970 --> 02:08:21,090
does make available and pay for these benefits.

1559
02:08:23,650 --> 02:08:25,330
State law also defines the

1560
02:08:25,330 --> 02:08:30,010
timing of when a salary increase becomes effective and that is when a new term

1561
02:08:30,010 --> 02:08:30,690
begins.

1562
02:08:33,350 --> 02:08:37,450
So if adopted the change in compensation does not apply immediately

1563
02:08:37,450 --> 02:08:41,550
to the members of the council but instead it will become effective when a

1564
02:08:41,550 --> 02:08:46,630
new term begins for any seat on council. For example the next election we

1565
02:08:46,630 --> 02:08:50,270
we will have for three council seats will be in November 2026.

1566
02:08:51,070 --> 02:08:53,270
Therefore effective December 2026,

1567
02:08:53,510 --> 02:08:56,110
after the election is certified,

1568
02:08:56,410 --> 02:08:58,230
the new salary amount will become effective

1569
02:08:58,230 --> 02:08:59,710
for all members of the council.

1570
02:09:01,690 --> 02:09:04,250
General law cities are governed by state law

1571
02:09:04,250 --> 02:09:05,470
versus charter cities.

1572
02:09:06,350 --> 02:09:07,850
Charters are granted by the state

1573
02:09:07,850 --> 02:09:10,530
and grants a city significant self-governance.

1574
02:09:11,290 --> 02:09:12,790
For the purpose of this discussion,

1575
02:09:13,150 --> 02:09:17,190
government code 36516 determines city council salaries

1576
02:09:17,190 --> 02:09:22,310
for general law cities, and charter cities may determine their own city council salaries.

1577
02:09:23,390 --> 02:09:29,430
In Contra Costa, there are 19 cities, 16 are general law, while three are charter cities.

1578
02:09:30,470 --> 02:09:47,170
The table you see in front of you shows the general law cities, the current paid to the

1579
02:09:47,170 --> 02:09:50,010
have the population from the Department of Finance website.

1580
02:09:50,890 --> 02:09:56,450
Another legally allowed salary column, you see that it's based on salary amounts

1581
02:09:56,450 --> 02:10:01,050
allowed by population. Pittsburgh Alliance with Ann Yau can conquer, since

1582
02:10:01,050 --> 02:10:06,590
law states that cities over 75,000 up to and including 150,000 are legally

1583
02:10:07,140 --> 02:10:14,290
allowed to have salaries up to 1900. So to recap, current law allows general

1584
02:10:14,290 --> 02:10:19,490
law cities such as Pittsburgh to increase council salaries by ordinance to an amount established

1585
02:10:19,490 --> 02:10:26,510
by population with inflation factored in. Would the increase not being effective until a new term?

1586
02:10:27,230 --> 02:10:31,830
The recommendation is to introduce and waive further reading of an ordinance amending the

1587
02:10:31,830 --> 02:10:40,330
PMC chapter 2.04 which increases council salaries to $600 per month effective December 6, 2026.

1588
02:10:40,330 --> 02:10:46,670
The recommended amount recognizes that while Pittsburgh, by law, may compensate up to $1,900

1589
02:10:46,670 --> 02:10:50,970
per month, its population is in the lower end of the population range.

1590
02:10:51,810 --> 02:10:56,270
The effective date is after the certification of the November 26 election.

1591
02:10:56,930 --> 02:11:02,250
It's also the beginning of a new pay period and the elected officials terms will commence

1592
02:11:02,250 --> 02:11:03,890
December 7, 2026.

1593
02:11:04,730 --> 02:11:06,050
That concludes the presentation.

1594
02:11:06,610 --> 02:11:08,110
Staff will be happy to answer any questions.

1595
02:11:08,110 --> 02:11:17,390
All right. Thank you, Malaine, for the presentation. And so I'll just share in terms of comments

1596
02:11:17,970 --> 02:11:22,930
from the finance subcommittee in bringing this item forward. It was looking at the municipal

1597
02:11:22,930 --> 02:11:29,630
code and so what was cited in our municipal code essentially was outdated. And so from

1598
02:11:29,630 --> 02:11:34,850
the population that was cited and also as it was shared from state law, the formula

1599
02:11:34,850 --> 02:11:42,350
that determines in terms of salaries for elected officials, council members. And so this was

1600
02:11:42,350 --> 02:11:49,150
an opportunity to revise our municipal code to reflect the changes in state law, but also

1601
02:11:49,150 --> 02:11:54,370
in terms of even the conversation in terms as it relates to just the duties, the responsibilities,

1602
02:11:54,710 --> 02:11:59,930
the time and the commitment that goes into serving on City Council. And so I think

1603
02:11:59,930 --> 02:12:04,010
I think we all know that nobody runs for counsel for the salary to be on City Council.

1604
02:12:05,050 --> 02:12:10,930
And this doesn't reflect, I believe, any change in that nobody's going to run for what they

1605
02:12:10,930 --> 02:12:15,330
perceive to be the salary that's offered for City Council.

1606
02:12:15,870 --> 02:12:19,770
But I think what it does take into note is in terms of the requirement, the demand

1607
02:12:19,770 --> 02:12:24,910
that is placed on council members in serving in this capacity and also recognizing the

1608
02:12:24,910 --> 02:12:29,510
terms whether it may be childcare, whether it may be travel and transportation, meeting

1609
02:12:29,510 --> 02:12:33,890
and regional bodies, and just the scope of the work that is done, meeting with community

1610
02:12:33,890 --> 02:12:39,330
members going to different events, even as a council member that also works full time,

1611
02:12:39,990 --> 02:12:43,770
reflecting that, you know, when we have to go do things, we're taking off our own personal

1612
02:12:43,770 --> 02:12:48,930
work time to be able to go do that, you know, and so just looking at the different

1613
02:12:48,930 --> 02:12:55,450
factors that are reflected in this. So this was put forward for council consideration

1614
02:12:56,130 --> 02:13:00,650
here this evening. And so as it was shared through the staff report, if there are any

1615
02:13:00,650 --> 02:13:05,190
questions, definitely allow this time for council members to ask questions or to make

1616
02:13:05,190 --> 02:13:06,890
any comments as we consider this item.

1617
02:13:16,920 --> 02:13:22,420
Questions or comments or if there is a motion from

1618
02:13:22,420 --> 02:13:24,240
the council on this item, I'll entertain a motion.

1619
02:13:28,630 --> 02:13:32,150
And before we go to a motion,

1620
02:13:32,230 --> 02:13:37,530
if there's no questions or comments, I'll turn to the clerk. Do we have any public

1621
02:13:37,530 --> 02:13:43,550
comments on this item? No, we do not. All right. Seeing none, what is the pleasure of the council

1622
02:13:43,550 --> 02:13:44,470
on this item?

1623
02:13:49,750 --> 02:13:52,390
I don't see anything in the queue. So if you're in the queue, go ahead.

1624
02:13:55,340 --> 02:13:56,300
Yes. So I'll

1625
02:13:56,300 --> 02:14:02,820
go ahead and move or introduce motion waving of the first reading of an ordinance to amend

1626
02:14:02,820 --> 02:14:07,620
Pittsburgh Municipal Code 2.04.20 to increase city council salary.

1627
02:14:10,500 --> 02:14:11,480
All right. We have a motion

1628
02:14:11,480 --> 02:14:14,560
Motion on the floor by Councilor Benales, Vice Mayor.

1629
02:14:15,100 --> 02:14:16,100
Thank you, through the mayor.

1630
02:14:16,220 --> 02:14:16,920
I'll second the motion.

1631
02:14:17,740 --> 02:14:18,380
All right.

1632
02:14:18,480 --> 02:14:20,440
We have a motion and a second on this item.

1633
02:14:20,880 --> 02:14:22,140
Go ahead and cast your votes.

1634
02:14:28,940 --> 02:14:31,140
That motion passes unanimously.

1635
02:14:32,440 --> 02:14:37,220
So at this time, we are going to move on to the next consideration item, and I'll

1636
02:14:37,220 --> 02:14:38,740
turn it back over to the city manager.

1637
02:14:39,200 --> 02:14:40,180
Thank you very much.

1638
02:14:40,400 --> 02:14:45,160
This next item is consideration of a consulting services agreement with Santa's civil

1639
02:14:45,160 --> 02:14:52,420
engineers, surveyors, planners for the design of improvements along the Delta De Anza multimodal

1640
02:14:52,420 --> 02:14:53,700
trail safety improvements.

1641
02:14:54,420 --> 02:14:59,960
With us this evening are SM Slacken, who is a senior civil engineer who will be

1642
02:15:00,000 --> 02:15:05,060
We'll be making a presentation with him, Arjina Haynes, Assistant Director to Public Works

1643
02:15:05,060 --> 02:15:10,840
slash Engineering, and then also John Samuels, Director of Public Works and Engineering.

1644
02:15:16,300 --> 02:15:22,440
Good evening, Mayor, Council Members. My name is Asim Shakwain. I am Senior Civil Engineer

1645
02:15:22,440 --> 02:15:26,820
with Public Works Department. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to present today.

1646
02:15:27,520 --> 02:15:33,240
I'll be presenting item number 12, Agreement with Sandis for the Design of Project 2052,

1647
02:15:33,240 --> 02:15:36,740
Delta Deans are multi-modal trail safety improvements.

1648
02:15:42,260 --> 02:15:43,980
The overall project location

1649
02:15:43,980 --> 02:15:49,320
map is shown here. The project is the construction of safety and operational

1650
02:15:49,320 --> 02:15:54,260
enhancement to the Delta Deans trail within the Pittsburgh City Limits and

1651
02:15:54,260 --> 02:15:59,360
Bay Point. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Contravesta

1652
02:15:59,360 --> 02:16:04,500
County and East Bay Regional Park District. The trail provided access to

1653
02:16:04,500 --> 02:16:09,580
regional and community parks, many school including Las Menonas College.

1654
02:16:14,700 --> 02:16:15,040
The trail

1655
02:16:15,040 --> 02:16:20,020
crossing location within the Pittsburgh City limits are shown here. There are eight

1656
02:16:20,020 --> 02:16:23,440
crossings to be considered for making safety improvements.

1657
02:16:27,760 --> 02:16:28,720
Priority crossing

1658
02:16:28,720 --> 02:16:34,300
locations within the Bay Point also shown here in this map which are to be

1659
02:16:34,300 --> 02:16:37,380
considered for safety improvements as well as part of this project.

1660
02:16:40,380 --> 02:16:40,900
The scope

1661
02:16:40,900 --> 02:16:47,980
of the project is to improve access and safer trail crossing. City will conduct community

1662
02:16:47,980 --> 02:16:53,640
outreach and consult bicycle and pedestrian advocacy groups to identify desired critical

1663
02:16:53,640 --> 02:16:59,700
improvements for safer trail crossing. Based on the information gathered from the outreach effort,

1664
02:17:00,240 --> 02:17:04,620
design will be finalized. The improvements to be considered include

1665
02:17:04,620 --> 02:17:12,780
oil finding signage, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, bulb out, pedestrian safety lightings,

1666
02:17:15,400 --> 02:17:20,600
protected bike lanes, and also improvements to the trail pavement conditions.

1667
02:17:23,960 --> 02:17:28,280
The improvements to the Delta Deanza Trail will help create a well-connected transportation

1668
02:17:28,280 --> 02:17:31,820
network that will increase travel by walking or bicycling.

1669
02:17:31,820 --> 02:17:37,440
The Pittsburgh Move Active Transportation Plan identified Delta-Dienza Trail as a priority

1670
02:17:37,440 --> 02:17:37,920
corridor.

1671
02:17:42,160 --> 02:17:47,420
The anticipated expenditure, including stop-time design, construction, and administrative

1672
02:17:47,420 --> 02:17:54,060
overhead is just over 5 million. Funding sources include one Bay Area grant, OVAC-3,

1673
02:17:54,160 --> 02:18:01,160
for federal funding, and other funding is from the East-Varizonal Park District. Contra Costa

1674
02:18:01,160 --> 02:18:06,120
Contra Costa County will cover the match requirements for improvements in their jurisdiction.

1675
02:18:10,710 --> 02:18:15,770
The anticipated duration of this project, including planning, design, bid, and construction

1676
02:18:15,770 --> 02:18:17,330
is over two and a half years.

1677
02:18:18,170 --> 02:18:20,630
Schedules or estimates are subject to change.

1678
02:18:24,310 --> 02:18:30,550
Request for qualification was issued, and city staff received six statement of qualifications

1679
02:18:30,550 --> 02:18:32,110
from consulting firms.

1680
02:18:32,110 --> 02:18:34,850
based on the ratings of the received proposal,

1681
02:18:35,150 --> 02:18:37,110
Sandis was ranked as the most qualified.

1682
02:18:37,890 --> 02:18:39,870
Sandis submitted a design proposal

1683
02:18:39,870 --> 02:18:42,890
in the amount of $495,000.

1684
02:18:46,320 --> 02:18:49,800
Stop recommends City Council adopt the resolution

1685
02:18:49,800 --> 02:18:51,760
authorizing the city manager

1686
02:18:51,760 --> 02:18:55,060
to execute a consulting services agreement with Sandis

1687
02:18:55,680 --> 02:18:57,860
for the design of the project in an amount

1688
02:18:57,860 --> 02:19:00,180
not to exceed $495,000.

1689
02:19:00,700 --> 02:19:02,980
Thank you and I'm happy to answer any questions.

1690
02:19:05,940 --> 02:19:11,860
Thank you for the presentation. Are there any questions from Council on this item?

1691
02:19:16,660 --> 02:19:18,360
Madam Clerk, do we have any public comments on this item?

1692
02:19:18,580 --> 02:19:19,200
No, we do not.

1693
02:19:20,900 --> 02:19:23,120
All right. So I'll bring this back before Council.

1694
02:19:23,780 --> 02:19:25,440
Council Member Locke.

1695
02:19:25,800 --> 02:19:33,480
Through the mayor, I move for Council to adopt the resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a consulting services agreement

1696
02:19:33,480 --> 02:19:39,160
with standards for the design of the project in amount not to exceed $495,000.

1697
02:19:40,540 --> 02:19:43,420
All right, we have a motion by Council Member Lopez, Council Member Cabana.

1698
02:19:43,840 --> 02:19:44,980
And I second that motion.

1699
02:19:45,920 --> 02:19:48,020
All right, we have a motion and a second on this item.

1700
02:19:48,180 --> 02:19:50,880
Just want to thank staff. I know this is an exciting project.

1701
02:19:51,500 --> 02:19:54,400
So looking forward to the community engagement that will be done around this.

1702
02:19:54,480 --> 02:19:58,040
There's a lot of interest in this project. So excited to see it move forward.

1703
02:19:58,040 --> 02:20:01,420
and with that go ahead and cast your votes and

1704
02:20:07,850 --> 02:20:11,310
that motion passes unanimously so

1705
02:20:13,140 --> 02:20:17,260
at this time we are going to move on to the last consideration item which is

1706
02:20:17,260 --> 02:20:22,960
item number 13 there is per state law a statement that I need to read into the

1707
02:20:22,960 --> 02:20:30,960
record and I also will go ahead and just introduce the item so this item is

1708
02:20:30,960 --> 02:20:34,780
the adoption of a city council resolution approving and appointing

1709
02:20:34,780 --> 02:20:40,500
Darren Garrell as city manager and authorizing the mayor to execute the employment agreement.

1710
02:20:41,460 --> 02:20:45,600
So earlier this year, former city manager Garrett Evans announced his retirement,

1711
02:20:46,280 --> 02:20:49,160
which became effective on September 5th.

1712
02:20:49,280 --> 02:20:53,620
Following his retirement, the city council appointed assistant city manager Maria Alliotti

1713
02:20:53,620 --> 02:20:58,380
to serve as interim city manager while the city conducted a comprehensive process

1714
02:20:58,380 --> 02:21:00,560
to select a permanent replacement.

1715
02:21:00,560 --> 02:21:06,820
To support that effort, the city retained the executive recruiting firm Peckham and McKinney

1716
02:21:07,200 --> 02:21:08,960
to lead a nationwide search.

1717
02:21:09,780 --> 02:21:14,940
As part of their recruitment, the firm developed a detailed candidate brochure that reflected

1718
02:21:14,940 --> 02:21:17,600
the council's expectations for the next city manager.

1719
02:21:18,980 --> 02:21:24,960
These expectations included strong experience in full service municipal operations, a passion

1720
02:21:24,960 --> 02:21:31,900
for public service, demonstrated expertise in economic development, finance, land use

1721
02:21:31,900 --> 02:21:38,100
and complex project delivery, and an ability to build trust within the organization and

1722
02:21:38,100 --> 02:21:42,000
the community through collaboration, responsiveness, and engagement.

1723
02:21:43,500 --> 02:21:45,680
The recruitment generated significant interest.

1724
02:21:46,700 --> 02:21:49,160
A total of 63 applications were received.

1725
02:21:49,900 --> 02:21:55,140
Peckman McKinney conducted initial evaluation and invited 13 applicants to

1726
02:21:55,140 --> 02:21:59,860
complete a supplemental questionnaire. Based on those responses, the recruiter

1727
02:21:59,860 --> 02:22:03,720
identified eight candidates for the city council's consideration for panel

1728
02:22:03,720 --> 02:22:08,560
interviews. The city council then selected six candidates to advance.

1729
02:22:09,580 --> 02:22:13,320
After one individual withdrew, the city proceeded with five

1730
02:22:13,320 --> 02:22:17,860
candidates in the first round of interviews. Following that initial

1731
02:22:17,860 --> 02:22:22,900
Around three candidates were invited to participate in a second interview with the City Council.

1732
02:22:24,080 --> 02:22:30,080
After completing that process, the City Council identified Darren Gale as the finalist pending

1733
02:22:30,080 --> 02:22:34,780
completion of a background check and then negotiation of a proposed employment agreement.

1734
02:22:36,000 --> 02:22:39,700
Mr. Gale comes to us with a strong background in local government leadership.

1735
02:22:40,440 --> 02:22:44,660
He is a graduate of the Harvard Senior Executives and State and Local Government Program.

1736
02:22:44,660 --> 02:22:49,920
program. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Sacramento State and a master

1737
02:22:49,920 --> 02:22:55,220
of business administration from Drexel University. His professional experience includes serving

1738
02:22:55,220 --> 02:23:00,020
as assistant city manager and most recently interim city manager for the city of Brentwood.

1739
02:23:00,760 --> 02:23:04,680
He previously served as senior development project manager for the city of Sacramento

1740
02:23:05,480 --> 02:23:09,680
where he led economic development initiatives including a federally funded small business

1741
02:23:09,680 --> 02:23:13,940
loan program and the business attraction and retention incentive program.

1742
02:23:15,000 --> 02:23:19,960
Prior to that, he spent 10 years with the city of Yuba City, including service as deputy

1743
02:23:19,960 --> 02:23:20,660
city manager.

1744
02:23:22,040 --> 02:23:26,380
If approved this evening, Mr. Gale's employment will begin on December 15, 2025.

1745
02:23:28,020 --> 02:23:34,980
The Brown Act, specifically government code section 54953C3, requires that before final

1746
02:23:34,980 --> 02:23:40,400
final action is taken on the salary of an executive, an oil report of a summary of the

1747
02:23:40,400 --> 02:23:43,980
recommendation for the final action must be made.

1748
02:23:54,160 --> 02:23:56,060
So this item, if approved, would

1749
02:23:56,060 --> 02:24:05,000
authorize a base salary of $312,256 per year. The position is a classic member of the public

1750
02:24:05,000 --> 02:24:11,220
employees' retirement system in the plan of 2% at age 60. And the contract also provides

1751
02:24:11,220 --> 02:24:15,920
for termination for cause and provides for severance pay for termination without cause.

1752
02:24:16,920 --> 02:24:21,440
The city council will evaluate the city manager each year based on objectives set during the

1753
02:24:21,440 --> 02:24:30,480
beginning of each calendar year. The fiscal year 2025-26, we included the base salary at $312,256.

1754
02:24:31,260 --> 02:24:35,760
The base salary and benefits will be funded through the general fund and the estimated

1755
02:24:35,760 --> 02:24:41,220
annual costs would be roughly $415,000 and would be included in annual budgets

1756
02:24:41,220 --> 02:24:46,160
including the draft 2026-27 budget presented to City Council in June

1757
02:24:46,160 --> 02:24:51,340
2026. So this evening's action would appoint Mr. Daringale as City Manager

1758
02:24:51,340 --> 02:24:57,060
and authorize the Mayor to execute the employment agreement. And so at this

1759
02:24:57,060 --> 02:25:03,540
time I'll bring it before Council for any consideration, any comments,

1760
02:25:03,540 --> 02:25:10,500
deliberation on this item before we entertain a motion on consideration for

1761
02:25:10,500 --> 02:25:14,540
this evening. And if there are any questions, there is also staff here to

1762
02:25:14,540 --> 02:25:15,660
answer any questions as well.

1763
02:25:19,590 --> 02:25:24,630
So with that, is that Council Member Cabada in the

1764
02:25:24,630 --> 02:25:24,750
queue?

1765
02:25:38,820 --> 02:25:45,080
As we move forward in selecting a city manager for our beloved city of

1766
02:25:45,080 --> 02:25:51,420
Pittsburgh. It is important to recognize the honor and tremendous work already

1767
02:25:55,260 --> 02:25:55,660
accomplished

1768
02:25:55,660 --> 02:26:00,360
by our dedicated staff and current executive team.

1769
02:26:02,800 --> 02:26:05,140
The comprehensive knowledge of our city

1770
02:26:05,140 --> 02:26:13,920
both historically and through decades of combined services has been instrumental in

1771
02:26:13,920 --> 02:26:21,240
laying the foundation and shaping Pittsburgh into the thriving, efficient, efficient and

1772
02:26:21,240 --> 02:26:24,940
well-run community that it is today.

1773
02:26:27,200 --> 02:26:32,320
Something that I acknowledge and appreciate and will always be grateful for.

1774
02:26:33,560 --> 02:26:40,660
It is the expectation that the city manager that we select will continue to carry this

1775
02:26:40,660 --> 02:26:48,940
momentum forward, building on the strong foundation built by those who have

1776
02:26:48,940 --> 02:26:55,080
tirelessly dedicated themselves and served our residents. It is encouraged and

1777
02:26:55,080 --> 02:27:01,060
expected that this individual uphold the values of continuity, collaboration, and

1778
02:27:01,060 --> 02:27:06,640
respect for the institutional experiences that have guided our city's

1779
02:27:06,640 --> 02:27:10,560
positive, productive, and progressive movement toward our future.

1780
02:27:12,060 --> 02:27:18,400
I am looking forward to working together to continue our forward progress in this very

1781
02:27:18,400 --> 02:27:26,980
cultural, close-knit, diverse community to ensure that Pittsburgh remains a model of

1782
02:27:26,980 --> 02:27:31,520
effective, responsive, open, and community-focused governance.

1783
02:27:33,360 --> 02:27:41,460
together we move ahead with optimism and a shared commitment to keeping Pittsburgh

1784
02:27:41,460 --> 02:27:44,480
strong stable and moving forward.

1785
02:27:51,740 --> 02:27:58,300
Council Member Bedales. Yes, you know the

1786
02:27:58,300 --> 02:28:02,820
selection of a city manager is an incredible incredibly difficult and

1787
02:28:02,820 --> 02:28:07,920
very important decision. They're the top executive that run the city on a

1788
02:28:07,920 --> 02:28:15,660
day-to-day basis. And, you know, from a city council, we have two direct employees. One

1789
02:28:15,660 --> 02:28:22,040
is the city attorney and one is the city manager. And so it is a very important decision.

1790
02:28:23,060 --> 02:28:29,320
And a former city manager, I've had the privilege of working with two that have retired

1791
02:28:29,320 --> 02:28:35,580
during my time here on the council. And that relationship with the city manager

1792
02:28:35,580 --> 02:28:44,000
manager is very important and it's key and hence why making a decision is so difficult.

1793
02:28:44,860 --> 02:28:53,120
I am very excited to have Mr. Gale joining us as our next city manager. I'm specifically

1794
02:28:53,120 --> 02:29:00,840
excited that he is going to bring extensive experience in economic development as well

1795
02:29:00,840 --> 02:29:06,640
as extensive experience from different agencies. You know, as Council Member

1796
02:29:06,640 --> 02:29:12,660
Kobata mentioned, we are on a incredible trajectory here in our city. We have a lot

1797
02:29:12,660 --> 02:29:21,260
to be proud of. The course that we're on over the last 10, 15 years is just so

1798
02:29:21,260 --> 02:29:26,440
exciting and I'm very thankful to everyone who has been a part of that

1799
02:29:26,440 --> 02:29:34,820
team to get us to this point. I think a sign of a strong organization and community is one

1800
02:29:34,820 --> 02:29:44,820
that every so often we have to look and say what can we continue to improve on? What

1801
02:29:44,820 --> 02:29:53,000
is the next five, 10, 15 years going to look like? And sometimes that involves bringing

1802
02:29:53,000 --> 02:29:54,140
outside perspective.

1803
02:29:55,680 --> 02:29:58,900
And so Mr. Gale brings that to us.

1804
02:29:59,120 --> 02:29:59,860
I'm very excited.

1805
02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:07,000
For how he's going to be able to come in and work within our teams that we have.

1806
02:30:07,160 --> 02:30:17,560
We have a fantastic team here in Pittsburgh and I'm especially excited about how he has spoken in terms of how he leads his organizations

1807
02:30:18,420 --> 02:30:23,860
and his focus on culture within the organization and really embracing that.

1808
02:30:23,860 --> 02:30:30,860
and also all of the tremendous positive feedback that we've received with folks

1809
02:30:30,860 --> 02:30:35,100
that have worked with Mr. Gill. So with that being said, I am very excited to

1810
02:30:35,100 --> 02:30:40,860
have him join us. I think it's going to be a great working relationship and I

1811
02:30:40,860 --> 02:30:44,800
look very much forward to him getting started. Thank you.

1812
02:30:50,050 --> 02:30:51,850
Vice Mayor. Thank you

1813
02:30:51,850 --> 02:30:56,870
through the Mayor and my colleagues. I wanted to just make him make also the

1814
02:30:56,870 --> 02:31:01,730
same mentioned. We had a lot of great candidates and it was a very tough

1815
02:31:01,730 --> 02:31:10,090
process in selecting the next city manager. Appreciate all the candidates who

1816
02:31:10,090 --> 02:31:14,630
demonstrated their interest in serving our community. One thing I do want to say

1817
02:31:14,630 --> 02:31:20,190
to the staff that's here, we work part-time. We're not here every day. We

1818
02:31:20,190 --> 02:31:25,610
don't walk the halls. We're not out on the streets with our residents daily

1819
02:31:25,610 --> 02:31:32,370
doing the work that you do. And so I just want to really give a nod to the staff because

1820
02:31:32,370 --> 02:31:37,350
we do stand on the shoulders of the staff. You keep the city running. We're here as a

1821
02:31:37,350 --> 02:31:42,030
council to help with governance and guidance to provide different perspectives here on

1822
02:31:42,030 --> 02:31:47,130
the council. And so I want to appreciate the staff for that. And then at the same

1823
02:31:47,130 --> 02:31:53,270
time, I want to share that I do support moving forward with this appointment. Mr.

1824
02:31:53,270 --> 02:31:59,010
Gail, I look forward to working collaboratively with you. I see you in the audience here. And

1825
02:32:00,870 --> 02:32:04,830
we're a really diverse close knit community. You might get a little tired of us.

1826
02:32:05,450 --> 02:32:12,910
So just be prepared for that. And, you know, the goal is really to advance our priorities. We

1827
02:32:12,910 --> 02:32:20,310
have a lot of great things going for us here as a city, a history of, as you walk the halls

1828
02:32:20,310 --> 02:32:27,610
and the walls. You would know that Pittsburgh is a family. And so I welcome you to become

1829
02:32:27,610 --> 02:32:34,230
part of that family. Our culture is different. We are a different city than Brentwood, but

1830
02:32:34,230 --> 02:32:39,270
I think there's room for everybody in my day job. I am an inclusion strategist around

1831
02:32:39,270 --> 02:32:45,510
culture and I think it's important as our city is changing to embrace the history

1832
02:32:45,510 --> 02:32:52,910
and respect it, inspect it, and then as you get to know everybody, I tell people

1833
02:32:52,910 --> 02:33:00,150
all the time you have to inspect it to respect it. And so that is important for

1834
02:33:00,150 --> 02:33:02,850
the folks that are here. You're going to meet tons of people, different

1835
02:33:02,850 --> 02:33:08,470
backgrounds, new residents, generations old. My family in particular has been

1836
02:33:08,470 --> 02:33:14,970
here for five generations. And so our aunties know each other, our dads and

1837
02:33:14,970 --> 02:33:19,170
our moms know each other we know each other and so I'm excited for you to come

1838
02:33:19,170 --> 02:33:23,550
and bring a new perspective to our city but also you know to embrace the

1839
02:33:23,550 --> 02:33:28,610
staff that's here they are phenomenal I can't say enough about the staff that's

1840
02:33:28,610 --> 02:33:34,330
here I have they have brought me along as a council member and some of them

1841
02:33:34,330 --> 02:33:40,350
even were you know raised me up being part of the city so I'm excited for

1842
02:33:40,350 --> 02:33:46,310
you, um, onward and upward for us as a city, um, and to the staff, you know,

1843
02:33:46,410 --> 02:33:47,250
we're in it together.

1844
02:33:47,250 --> 02:33:51,790
So I just want to share those comments and words toward you and to the staff.

1845
02:33:59,840 --> 02:34:01,560
This was not an easy process.

1846
02:34:02,080 --> 02:34:03,420
It wasn't an overnight process.

1847
02:34:03,680 --> 02:34:05,260
It took about two months.

1848
02:34:05,560 --> 02:34:09,680
Mind you, when the process started, I personally was still grieving,

1849
02:34:10,100 --> 02:34:12,780
not having Garrett as their city manager.

1850
02:34:12,780 --> 02:34:17,860
So, you know, transitioning through that period was very difficult,

1851
02:34:18,100 --> 02:34:23,680
but I am grateful that we hired the right help to help us navigate this process.

1852
02:34:24,740 --> 02:34:32,080
And one of my prayers going into this process was I asked for direction and for wisdom.

1853
02:34:32,480 --> 02:34:34,900
You know, we oftentimes like to rely on our own understanding,

1854
02:34:35,300 --> 02:34:38,940
but we lack wisdom and wisdom and intelligence are not synonymous all the time.

1855
02:34:40,780 --> 02:34:41,300
And

1856
02:34:43,470 --> 02:34:51,050
moving through all of this, I had to make two tables.

1857
02:34:51,470 --> 02:34:54,630
One table was for my residents, what the needs of my residents are,

1858
02:34:54,710 --> 02:34:58,290
because ultimately, you know, being the city manager, it will affect our residents.

1859
02:34:58,570 --> 02:35:01,250
And ultimately, I represent their voice, right?

1860
02:35:01,430 --> 02:35:04,070
I represent my constituents and I answer to them.

1861
02:35:04,510 --> 02:35:10,030
But I also echoing Vice Mayor Adams, I'm not here nine to five.

1862
02:35:10,030 --> 02:35:16,190
You know, you have incredible staff that you'll ultimately lead, and so there were certain qualities that I was looking for.

1863
02:35:16,510 --> 02:35:21,530
I have gone to know staff, and I love the city staff. I really do.

1864
02:35:22,610 --> 02:35:27,850
And so my heart was part of the decision-making, but also wisdom and knowledge from what I have learned.

1865
02:35:28,430 --> 02:35:34,470
We are also an incredible council. We don't always see eye-to-eye, but I do believe we balance each other out.

1866
02:35:34,470 --> 02:35:40,930
And I'd be arrogant to say that from time to time, you know, certain perspectives do change my mind.

1867
02:35:41,070 --> 02:35:45,110
And there are certain times where my perspectives might change my colleagues' minds.

1868
02:35:45,750 --> 02:35:52,410
But being that said, one of the traits that I have noticed about Darren is that he has the heart of a servant.

1869
02:35:52,950 --> 02:35:57,870
And I always look for that because, you know, I think of Pittsburgh as my baby, right?

1870
02:35:58,190 --> 02:36:00,130
Who would you entrust your baby to?

1871
02:36:00,130 --> 02:36:10,050
It has to be with someone that, you know, has a good heart or that appears to have the best interests of the people and I have personally, you know, observed certain things.

1872
02:36:10,230 --> 02:36:28,350
I observe a lot seeing the comments that Brentwood residents are saying about Mr. Darren, you know, just reaffirmed our decision and I look forward to having our constituents say that about Darren one day, you know, that they appreciate you, that they respect you.

1873
02:36:28,350 --> 02:36:36,090
And also our city staff, you know, I I know that with this great charge comes a great responsibility and you know

1874
02:36:36,090 --> 02:36:38,690
I'm one always pushing for accountability

1875
02:36:38,690 --> 02:36:45,010
So you know I welcome you to the city, but I also want to let you know that you know accountability comes with the job and

1876
02:36:45,790 --> 02:36:49,870
As you know as city council members here looking at you

1877
02:36:49,870 --> 02:36:52,850
I do ask that you will always put our city first

1878
02:36:52,850 --> 02:36:57,610
you'll put your city staff first, that you will continue to serve them and lead

1879
02:36:57,610 --> 02:37:04,210
with that heart of a servant, but also I ask that you keep an open door policy at

1880
02:37:04,210 --> 02:37:08,370
all times. Communication is key for successful teams to take effect and

1881
02:37:08,370 --> 02:37:11,930
also communication with your council members so that we can continue to move

1882
02:37:11,930 --> 02:37:16,030
Pittsburgh forward and there are many plans that we have ahead of us that

1883
02:37:16,030 --> 02:37:21,390
you know we are interesting to you and so you know I I pray that you know

1884
02:37:21,390 --> 02:37:26,050
The decision that we have collectively made will be the best for our residents but also

1885
02:37:26,050 --> 02:37:32,650
for the staff and for all the projects moving forward with, you know, just, we are the diamond

1886
02:37:32,650 --> 02:37:33,110
in the rough.

1887
02:37:34,070 --> 02:37:34,750
Thank you.

1888
02:37:38,880 --> 02:37:40,940
I want to thank all of my colleagues for the comments.

1889
02:37:42,340 --> 02:37:47,920
It is an exciting time in the city of Pittsburgh and we recognize in terms of even the magnitude

1890
02:37:47,920 --> 02:37:48,720
of the decision.

1891
02:37:48,720 --> 02:37:56,620
I do want to just start my comments off first by thanking Maria for your time as Interim

1892
02:37:56,620 --> 02:37:57,300
City Manager.

1893
02:37:58,740 --> 02:38:00,120
You have done this with grace.

1894
02:38:00,680 --> 02:38:04,820
You have maintained the professionalism, the standard in terms of moving things forward.

1895
02:38:05,440 --> 02:38:06,620
We haven't missed a beat.

1896
02:38:07,500 --> 02:38:12,580
And I personally want to let you know that this is no reflection on your character or

1897
02:38:12,580 --> 02:38:15,960
anything to undermine the value that you bring to the city of Pittsburgh.

1898
02:38:15,960 --> 02:38:21,300
And I just want to say that publicly because you are an incredible asset to the City of

1899
02:38:21,300 --> 02:38:21,740
Pittsburgh.

1900
02:38:22,860 --> 02:38:26,680
And to the rest of the staff, as has already been shared here tonight, I know there can

1901
02:38:26,680 --> 02:38:32,160
be a lot of personal feelings about the direction that we ultimately go as an organization and

1902
02:38:32,160 --> 02:38:34,800
even with change in terms of certain uncertainties.

1903
02:38:35,140 --> 02:38:38,360
But I think that we really just want to let everybody know, as you've heard here

1904
02:38:38,360 --> 02:38:42,140
tonight, the incredible value that we place on each and every one of you.

1905
02:38:42,140 --> 02:38:47,400
we want to continue to make this an organization where everyone can thrive, where your input is

1906
02:38:47,400 --> 02:38:53,400
valued, and where you can continue to grow. So that is something that is very top of mind for us

1907
02:38:53,400 --> 02:38:58,480
as we look at even this appointment here this evening. I think it's been shared in

1908
02:38:58,480 --> 02:39:04,400
terms of some of the traits, but I'll just add on to it in terms of Mr. Gill and the excitement

1909
02:39:04,400 --> 02:39:08,180
in terms of you coming on board and being able to lead here in the city of Pittsburgh.

1910
02:39:09,360 --> 02:39:13,300
as Councilman Lopez shared you know the servant leader aspect is something that

1911
02:39:13,300 --> 02:39:18,760
definitely spoke you are very personable and being able to talk with you you know

1912
02:39:18,760 --> 02:39:23,280
and just being able to feel that not only you're hearing you know in terms of

1913
02:39:23,280 --> 02:39:28,420
what's being shared with you but also just the connection and being able to

1914
02:39:28,420 --> 02:39:32,280
understand in terms of not only that you can empathize in terms of with the

1915
02:39:32,280 --> 02:39:35,880
community and those that you will be serving here in the organization but

1916
02:39:35,880 --> 02:39:40,600
also in terms of your experience in terms of leading which I believe really came

1917
02:39:40,600 --> 02:39:45,340
through and being able to get to know you through this process. I think another

1918
02:39:45,340 --> 02:39:49,180
thing that really just demonstrated the heart you know that you have is you

1919
02:39:49,180 --> 02:39:53,500
know hearing that you know you cook breakfast you know for departments and

1920
02:39:53,500 --> 02:39:58,460
for employees and it was just something that really you know rolls to the top

1921
02:39:58,460 --> 02:40:01,680
in terms of the type of character and the person and individual that you

1922
02:40:01,680 --> 02:40:09,320
are. And then once again, just the excitement of what we're striving for as a city, the strategic

1923
02:40:09,320 --> 02:40:14,840
thought that you have as it's shared about the lens around economic development and even

1924
02:40:14,840 --> 02:40:19,540
your perspective as it came to addressing the specific industries and the things that

1925
02:40:19,540 --> 02:40:24,480
we're looking to go after. So with all of that, you know, I don't want to be too

1926
02:40:24,480 --> 02:40:30,400
lengthy in my comments. I am excited and in full support of approving this contract

1927
02:40:30,400 --> 02:40:35,600
and appointing you as City Manager. And as it was shared, we know that there's work ahead of us.

1928
02:40:35,800 --> 02:40:39,080
We know there are things that we're going to have to work through. There are goals that

1929
02:40:39,080 --> 02:40:44,060
we're aiming for and then we'll have to work to accomplish. But I believe that we're confident in

1930
02:40:44,060 --> 02:40:50,840
your abilities and coming in and being integrated into Team Pittsburgh that this next chapter,

1931
02:40:51,020 --> 02:40:55,960
this next step forward will be a great one. And so we're really excited to bring you on

1932
02:40:55,960 --> 02:41:01,240
board. So with that, I will turn to Madam Clerk to see if there are any public

1933
02:41:01,240 --> 02:41:07,940
comments this evening. No, we do not. All right. So seeing none, I'll bring it back

1934
02:41:07,940 --> 02:41:10,620
before the council. What is the pleasure of the council on this item?

1935
02:41:11,760 --> 02:41:15,920
Councilor Benales. Yep, I'll move adoption of a city council resolution

1936
02:41:15,920 --> 02:41:19,160
appointing Darren Gale as city manager and authorizing the mayor to

1937
02:41:19,160 --> 02:41:22,980
execute the employment agreement. Through the mayor. I second the motion.

1938
02:41:22,980 --> 02:41:32,460
All right. We have a motion. My council member Lala is a second by council member Lopez. Go ahead and cast your votes. We

1939
02:41:52,560 --> 02:41:54,580
need two more votes. Please want

1940
02:42:07,410 --> 02:42:17,570
to go ahead and do it. And that motion passes five zero. So congratulations, Mr. Gale excited once again to have you aboard team Pittsburgh.

1941
02:42:18,610 --> 02:42:23,330
I know it wasn't planned, but would you like to make any comments or.

1942
02:42:23,330 --> 02:42:24,270
Good

1943
02:42:29,070 --> 02:42:33,730
evening, Mayor and City Council. I'm humbled by the opportunity that you've provided

1944
02:42:33,730 --> 02:42:39,870
me this evening and I echo the sentiments that each and every one of you stated. I love

1945
02:42:39,870 --> 02:42:45,650
local government because you're able to connect with the local community. What's the employees

1946
02:42:45,650 --> 02:42:52,610
of the City of Pittsburgh do here on a daily basis, touch the lives of our residents and

1947
02:42:52,610 --> 02:42:58,630
And the decisions that are made in this room during council meetings directly affect the

1948
02:42:58,630 --> 02:43:02,070
residents of this city, more so than anything that's happening in the state and federal

1949
02:43:02,070 --> 02:43:03,910
government in my humble opinion.

1950
02:43:04,570 --> 02:43:08,710
And I agree what an amazing staff Maria has done.

1951
02:43:09,150 --> 02:43:14,550
I'm looking forward to joining the executive team and building a strong relationship with

1952
02:43:14,550 --> 02:43:16,090
everyone that's here this evening.

1953
02:43:16,570 --> 02:43:20,070
And I look forward to getting to meet and get to know everyone.

1954
02:43:20,070 --> 02:43:23,470
And then, of course, as was mentioned, getting to know the community.

1955
02:43:23,830 --> 02:43:28,330
So thank you, and I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you better,

1956
02:43:29,110 --> 02:43:35,530
continuing that strong relationship and continuity, and keep Pittsburgh continue going forward.

1957
02:43:35,670 --> 02:43:36,370
So thank you.

1958
02:43:36,770 --> 02:43:37,290
Appreciate it.

1959
02:43:43,090 --> 02:43:43,610
All right.

1960
02:43:43,750 --> 02:43:46,490
So at this time, we're going to move on to the conflict of interest statement.

1961
02:43:47,510 --> 02:43:50,950
City Council members may make any conflict of interest declarations pertaining to

1962
02:43:50,950 --> 02:43:53,150
the consent calendar items at this time.

1963
02:43:53,150 --> 02:43:59,910
Are there any conflicts on the consent calendar? If not, I'll entertain a motion for the consent calendar.

1964
02:44:02,350 --> 02:44:06,770
Sorry. Item number 20 is being pulled to be presented at a future meeting.

1965
02:44:09,050 --> 02:44:13,890
Okay. So we're going to remove item 20 from the consent calendar.

1966
02:44:14,650 --> 02:44:20,650
And with that, I'll entertain a motion for approval of the consent calendar minus item 20.

1967
02:44:21,890 --> 02:44:27,130
Through the mayor, I move for the approval of the consent calendar minus item 20.

1968
02:44:28,630 --> 02:44:31,590
All right, we have a motion by Councilor Malopas, Councilor Benales.

1969
02:44:32,630 --> 02:44:34,070
Through the mayor, I'll second that motion.

1970
02:44:34,930 --> 02:44:38,250
All right, we have a motion and a second for approval of the consent calendar.

1971
02:44:38,710 --> 02:44:39,450
Go ahead and cast your votes.

1972
02:45:11,250 --> 02:45:13,590
We'll go ahead and do roll call vote. Councilmember Cabara?

1973
02:45:17,020 --> 02:45:17,320
Aye.

1974
02:45:18,140 --> 02:45:19,640
Councilmember Bernalves? Aye.

1975
02:45:20,140 --> 02:45:21,640
Councilmember Lopez? Aye.

1976
02:45:22,080 --> 02:45:23,360
Vice Mayor Adams? Yes.

1977
02:45:23,880 --> 02:45:25,120
Mayor Killings? Aye.

1978
02:45:26,520 --> 02:45:28,420
All right, so that motion passes unanimously.

1979
02:45:29,680 --> 02:45:33,760
So at this time, we're going to move on to councilmember remarks.

1980
02:45:34,580 --> 02:45:38,160
Are there any announcements or comments that councilmembers like to make at this time?

1981
02:45:38,160 --> 02:45:46,420
I would like to make a comment around the Veterans Day celebration that we did at the

1982
02:45:46,420 --> 02:45:48,740
Senior Community Center on Veterans Day.

1983
02:45:49,400 --> 02:45:56,700
It was just amazing to be there with our veterans and also to see our junior ROTC cadets that

1984
02:45:56,700 --> 02:45:59,900
are doing a phenomenal job leading in the community.

1985
02:46:00,580 --> 02:46:05,100
And it was nice to be there and actually meet a veteran that served in the Korean

1986
02:46:05,100 --> 02:46:06,760
War with my grandfather.

1987
02:46:07,360 --> 02:46:11,840
I did not meet my grandfather, so it was nice to hear stories around that experience.

1988
02:46:12,180 --> 02:46:18,760
And so I learned a lot about our camp Stoneman that used to be here in Pittsburgh,

1989
02:46:18,760 --> 02:46:21,500
and it was a great gathering of community.

1990
02:46:21,680 --> 02:46:27,100
So I just wanted to congratulate the city on that partnership, the Veterans Hall,

1991
02:46:27,300 --> 02:46:29,060
and then also just engaging our youth.

1992
02:46:29,220 --> 02:46:30,860
They are the next generation of leaders,

1993
02:46:30,900 --> 02:46:34,560
and so it was nice to see all of that together in one place,

1994
02:46:34,560 --> 02:46:41,600
And then celebrate, you know, Pittsburgh has a long military history that we don't necessarily reflect on all the time.

1995
02:46:41,660 --> 02:46:42,540
So it's a proud moment.

1996
02:46:42,780 --> 02:46:43,240
Other

1997
02:46:46,880 --> 02:46:48,420
remarks or comments from council members?

1998
02:46:49,780 --> 02:46:54,200
So council will be convening into closed session.

1999
02:46:55,160 --> 02:47:02,400
And so at this time before we do, Madam Clerk, are there any public comments on closed session items?

2000
02:47:02,900 --> 02:47:03,600
No, we do not.

2001
02:47:04,200 --> 02:47:10,040
All right, so we will not be adjourning, but we will be going into closed session. Thank you.