Community Advisory Commission

YES, WE ARE READY. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MARCH 6th MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:02 P.M.. CAN I GET THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? >> CAN WE GET A ROLL CALL PLEASE? >> [ ROLL BEING CALLED ] >> DO WE HAVE ANY CORRESPONDENCE? >> WE DO NOT. >> OKAY. WE WILL GO TO ADVISORY . TRAFFIC/EYES ON THE STREET. ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING? NO? I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, OR COMMENTS. BECAUSE WE'VE HAD SO MUCH RAIN, IT SEEMS LIKE THE STREETS ARE DETERIORATING MORE. I KNOW WE HAVE AN ACTION PLAN TO WHERE THE STREETS ARE GOING TO BE FIXED. AS FAR AS THE CONCERN, FUNDING, AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT. I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WITH THOSE ROADS WHO HAVE BEEN FIXED, BUT I SEE HOLES IN THEM ALREADY. HOW ARE WE HANDLING THAT? >> I WOULD RECOMMEND IF ANYBODY NOTICES THOSE TO PLEASE LET US KNOW IMMEDIATELY. SOME OF THE PATCHES MAY NEED TO BE REDONE AFTER THE RAINY SEASON ENDS. AT THIS POINT, IF THE RAIN HAS AFFECTED ANYTHING FOR THE ROADWAY, THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE WILL FIX. SO IF YOU IDENTIFIES ANY OF THOSE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I WILL ALSO AS THE ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION, ASKED HIM TO MAYBE LOOK AT THE STREETS THAT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN REPAVED TO SEE IF THERE ANY AREAS THAT NEED SPECIAL ATTENTION, TO MAKE SURE WE ADDRESS THOSE. >> OKAY. THE NEXT THING. HOW ARE WE CONTACTING OWNERS OF PRIVATE LANDS THAT WE SEE DUMPING ON? I KNOW IT IS NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A CITY TO CLEAN THAT UP, BUT ARE WE GOING TO FIND THIS? ARE IS THERE ANY KIND OF CIRCUMSTANCES, LETTERS GOING OUT? ANYTHING LIKE THAT? >> YES. ALL THE ABOVE. WE WILL TALK ABOUT ORDINANCE THAT WAS INTRODUCED MONDAY NIGHT . AS A LITTLE BIT OF A PREVIEW TO THAT, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ADDRESS. IF IT IS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, IT IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION. AND WE ADDRESSED THOSE AS WE COME IN. SOMETIMES AS IT IS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY THAT WE CANNOT ENTER. THOSE WILL ACCUMULATE LARGE FINES BEFORE EITHER THE PROPERTY OWNER RESPONSE TO US, OR A PROPERTY IS FORCED TO HE CLEANED UP. THERE IS A PROCESS THERE. WE RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WHEN WE RAN IT FOR THE LAST 12 MONTHS WE'VE HAD OVER 1200 COMPLAINTS FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING BOTH ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AND ON THE ROADWAYS. WE ARE CONSTANTLY ADDRESSING THOSE. IF THERE IS A SPECIFIC POPULAR -- PROPERTY YOU WANT US TO LOOK AT, LET US KNOW AND WE WILL GET OUT THERE. WE TRY TO GET TO THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO WE CAN ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE ISSUES. ESPECIALLY IN THE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. IN THE COMMERCIAL AREAS AND LONG RAILWAYS, AS WELL. >> I KNOW YOU SAID THERE IS A CODE ENFORCEMENT, A FINE, AND THEN THERE IS THE PROCESS. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? IS IT SEVERAL MONTHS? THE YEAR? >> WE REALLY TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM THAT. THAT IS AN ABSOLUTE WORST-CASE SCENARIO WHERE THERE IS A PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD THAT IS PRESENTED BECAUSE OF WHAT IS GOING ON. THAT CAN HAPPEN. GENERALLY WHAT THE PROCESS STARTS WITH, A REPORT TO CODE ENFORCEMENT DRIVING DURING AREA, IDENTIFYING SOMETHING. ONCE THAT IS SUBMITTED, WE PAIR -- PREPARE A NOTICE. WE USUALLY GIVE THEM 10 DAYS. THAT COULD BE MORE OR LESS, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE SITUATION AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. WE WILL LET THEM NOW THAT THE PROPERTY NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP. THEY WILL FIRST FACED A $100 ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION POSSIBLY IF IT IS NOT CLEANED UP. THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED BY $200 CITATION, THEN UP TO $500 A DAY IN CITATIONS. WE TRY TO GET TO THOSE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. SOMETIMES THEY ARE CLEANED UP BY THE PROPERTY OWNER. WE TRIED TO WORK WITH THEM TO GET CAMERAS, OR OTHER SECURITY MANAGERS IN PLACE TO TRY AND PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING. WE DO HAVE HOTSPOTS OF THE ILLEGAL DUMPING TAKING PLACE. THIS IS USUALLY BECAUSE WE AREN'T GETTING NERVOUS WANTS FROM THE PROPERTY OWNER. WE COULD BE FORCED TO GO IN THERE AND CLEAN IT UP. WE REALLY TRY NOT TO DO THAT. WE TRY TO WORK WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. GENERALLY SPEAKING, THAT IS HOW THESE HAPPEN. WE DO MAINTENANCE VERY INFREQUENTLY. >> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? >> YES. REALLY QUICK, YOU ARE SAYING HE WILL CONTACT THE OWNER. HOW WOULD A PERSON WHO SAW SOME OF THAT HAPPENING KNOW WHETHER IT IS PRIVATE OR PUBLIC? >> FOR THE PERSON WHO WANTS TO REPORT THAT, THEY DON'T NEED TO KNOW IF IT IS PRIVATE OR PUBLIC. THEY CAN SEND A PHOTO IN. YOU CAN EMAIL, YOU CAN CALL. WE USUALLY RECOMMEND FOLKS USE THE ENGAGE PITTSBURGH APP THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD FOR FREE. THE OTHER GREAT THING ABOUT THAT, YOU WILL GET NOTIFICATION WHEN YOUR REPORT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED. OFTENTIMES, WE CLOSE THOSE AND WE LET FOLKS KNOW WE HAVE SENT A LETTER. WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW-UP. WE ARE CURRENTLY REVIEWING AND WORKING ON OUR SYSTEM. FOR THE PUBLIC THAT MIGHT BE REPORTING SOMETHING, THEY DO NOT NEED TO KNOW. THEY JUST NEED TO TELL US THAT SOMETHING DOES NOT LOOK RIGHT. WE WILL ADDRESS THOSE. >> I JUST HAD A COMMENT. I USE THE PITTSBURGH ENGAGE APP. IT'S BEEN REALLY GOOD. THE RESPONSES I'VE GOTTEN HAVE BEEN SENT OUT FAIRLY QUICK. >> ONE QUESTION ABOUT ENGAGE PITTSBURGH , IF I NEEDED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY TIRE DAMAGE FROM THE STREETS, IS IT ON ENGAGE PITTSBURGH? I WILL I HAVE TO GO THROUGH A DIFFERENT PROCESS? >> PLEASE EMAIL ME. >> [ LAUGHTER ] >> YOU CAN LET US KNOW. WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT OFF-LINE. >> OKAY. >> [ LAUGHTER ] ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANYTHING FOR PARKS, RECREATION, ART AND PUBLIC EVENTS? ANY EVENTS, ROLAND, THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT? I AM TRYING TO ENTER IT IN MY HEAD. CALIFORNIA THEATER HAS BEEN VERY BUSY. THEY HAVE WILLY WONKA COMING IN SOME OTHER GROUPS. WHAT WAS IT? BABY --? I SAW THE LINE WRAPPED AROUND THE CORNER. -- HAD A COMEDY SHOW. AND I THINK EJ FAIR HAD A COMEDY SHOW, ALSO. AND I BELIEVE DR. BYRD AND STILL TELL HAD A CROSSOVER. IT LOOKS PRETTY GOOD. I DON'T DRINK COFFEE, SO I DIDN'T. THEY HAD, LIKE, LITTLE APPETIZERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. DR. BYRD IS HAVING A WINE TASTING. EVEN IF YOU HAVE KIDS, THEY HAVE THEIR DAUGHTER'S BIRTHDAY FRIDAY. THEY ARE GIVING HER LIKE A PARTY. PARENTS CAN COME AND HAVE THE WINE TASTING WHILE THE KIDS PLAY. DANIELLE IS A CHEF, SO SHE IS GOING TO MAKE DIFFERENT APPETIZERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO GO WITH THE WIND. -- WINE. IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING GOING FRIDAY, YOU CAN GO TO THAT. THAT IS ALL I HAVE SO FAR. OH, THERE IS A BOOK EVENT AT PARKSIDE ELEMENTARY. KIDS WILL GET BOOKS, THEY WILL PLAY GAMES. IT'S PARTNERED WITH TANDEM BOOKS. SO, THAT IS IT. ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. >> YES? >> WHAT SOURCE DO YOU USE TO KEEP TRACK OF EVENTS. I MONITOR THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH ON THEIR FACEBOOK GROUP, AND THEN ANOTHER GROUP CALLED PITTSBURGH PROUD. I AM WONDERING, ARE THERE ANY OTHER SOURCES I CAN CHECK FOR EVENTS? >> USUALLY, I JUST DRIVE AROUND SOMETIMES. BUT, LIKE, SOME OF THE RESTAURANTS AND THINGS, I FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK. >> OKAY. >> SO WHEN THEY HAVE EVENTS, I WILL SEE THEM. SO IF YOU HAVE A FAVORITE RESTAURANT, OR, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT YOU DO IN PITTSBURGH, YOU CAN JUST SEE WHAT EVENTS ARE HAPPENING. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> [ INDISCERNIBLE - LOW VOLUME ] >> AS FAR AS I KNOW, IT'S NOT. IT IS JUST WITH TANDEM BOOKS, AND THEY PARTNER WITH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SO, YEAH. JORDAN, IS THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH DOING ANYTHING FOR WOMEN'S MONTH? >> WE ARE DOING QUITE A BIT THIS MONTH. I'M SURE THERE WILL BE SOME CELEBRATIONS FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH. I DID WANT TO JUMP IN. EXCUSE ME. I WANT TO NOTE A COUPLE OF THINGS. ON SATURDAY, MARCH 23rd AT THE NEW PARK AT ARAGON DRIVE AND DELANO DRIVE, THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH WILL BE HOSTING THE EVENT AND TREEPLANTING. WE ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO COME OUT TO THAT EVENT. WE HAVE SEVERAL EVENTS THAT DAY. WE ALSO HAVE FISHING WITH MY PAL, WHICH WILL BE TAKING PLACE AT YOU CANNON PARK ON SATURDAY THE 23rd, AS WELL. AND AN EASTER EGG HUNT, WHICH IS FREE FOR FOLKS. THERE WILL BE A PANCAKE BREAKFAST REQUESTING A DONATION OF FIVE DOLLARS. AND WE HAVE A FOURTH EVENT THAT I'M NOT GOING TO MENTION BECAUSE WE HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THAT TONIGHT. WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT. I WILL WITHHOLD THAT ONE. AND THEN WE WILL BE MEETING BEFORE THIS EVENT, BUT I WILL GO AHEAD AND ANNOUNCE IT NOW SO FOLKS CAN MARK THEIR CALENDARS. CIVIC PRIDE THEY WILL BE TAKING PLACE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 20th AT 9:00 A.M. I BELIEVE THE LOCATION IS -- WELL, THE LOCATION IS TO BE DETERMINED. I'M SORRY. HIGHLANDS LOCATION AND --WE HAVE REALLY WORKED HARD OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS TO REALLY ENHANCE THAT APP AND ADD MORE FEATURES TO IT. WE HAVE OUR OLD TOWN PATH OF HISTORY WALKING TOUR NOW IN THE ENGAGE PITTSBURGH APP. THAT IS JUST CITY EVENTS. YOU WILL NOT HEAR ABOUT THE DR. BYRD EVENT, OR THE -- EVENT. WE DO NOT ADVERTISE EVENTS FOR PRIVATE BUSINESSES. THAT IS A GREAT WAY TO LEARN ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS JUST ANNOUNCED AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. CHECK THAT OUT. >> THANKS. ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? CIVIC PRIDE THEY WILL ONLY BE TWO LOCATIONS. WE ARE NOT CLEANING ANY TRAILS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT? >> I THINK THOSE LOCATIONS ARE ADJACENT TO SOME OTHER AREAS. HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, THAT AREA AROUND IT, LOCATIONS THAT HAVE PUBLIC AREAS AROUND THEM. I BELIEVE FROM HIGHLANDS, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET TO SOME OTHER AREAS. WE WILL FOCUS ON A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT AREAS THIS YEAR. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> IS THERE A SIGN UP SHEET SOMEWHERE? >> YOU CAN RSVP ONLINE. WE DO PROVIDE GLOVES, THE CLAUSE, THE GRABBERS, AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. IF YOUR PLANS CHANGE LAST MINUTE AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO SIGN UP BUT YOU WANT TO SIGN UP, DON'T HESITATE. COME ON OUT. WE WILL MAKE SURE WE CAN HELP YOU AND TRY TO GET YOU WHAT YOU NEED. YOU CAN RSVP. I WOULD JUST RECOMMEND GOING TO THE PITTSBURGH WEBSITE, FINDING THE FACEBOOK POST, THE INSTAGRAM POSTS. THERE WILL BE LINKS TO THE RSVP SHEET. THAT IS PROBABLY THE SIMPLEST WAY. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. SO, CDBG, THEY HAVEN'T MET. HEALTHCARE, THEY HAVEN'T MET. MEASURE M HAVING MET. PUBLIC SAFETY WAS CANCELED. PITTSBURGH RECOGNITION, THEY HAVEN'T MET. YOUTH ADVISORY ? >> I WAS AS CONFUSED AS THE KIDS THERE. THAT IS SOMETHING I HAVE TO GET USED TO. NOTHING TO REPORT. >> THANK YOU. SO, DO WE HAVE ANY AUDIENCE REMARKS? >> MADAM VICE CHAIR, I SEE NONE. >> OKAY. SO, PRESENTATION. >> THANK YOU, MADAM VICE CHAIR. WE WANT TO WELCOME SOME FOLKS FROM THE DELTAX ORGANIZATION. THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT AN EVENT THEY WILL BE HAVING ON MARCH 23rd AT JOHN HENRY PARK IN CELEBRATION OF HOLI. I WILL INVITE THESE FOLKS UP TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND GIVE A PRESENTATION. >> THANK YOU. COMMUNITY ADVISER COMMISSIONERS. HELLO. HELLO, EMPLOYEES, BROTHERS AND SISTERS. I AM --A PITTSBURGH RESIDENT REPRESENTING THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION , DELTA X. I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT HOLI. H, L, L, I. HOLI, THE VIBRANT FESTIVAL OF COLORS. DELTA X IS ORGANIZING IT ON MARCH 23rd. ABOUT 200 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP TO JOIN THE PROGRAM. DELTA X IS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION OF NEPALI SPEAKING RESIDENTS FROM PITTSBURGH AND NEARBY CITIES. PLEASANT HILL, AND MARTINEZ. OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLE OUR COMPASSION, JUSTICE , AND FAIRNESS. WE OFFER PROGRAMS TO ASSIST COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS ALSO TO EXTEND THE HAND TO THOSE IN NEED. HOLI IS A FESTIVAL THAT CELEBRATES THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING. THE JOY OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP IT IS ONE OF THE MOST COLORFUL AND LIVELY FESTIVALS, AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE PICTURES. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE USUALLY CELEBRATE THIS FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR. THESE PICTURES WERE FROM THE PARK. >> OKAY, SAN MARCO'S. >> YES. >> IT IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST COLORFUL AND LIVELY FESTIVALS WERE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, BACKGROUND AND BELIEFS COME TOGETHER TO SPLASH EACH OTHER WITH COLOR AND WATER. HOLI HAS A SIGNIFICANT HISTORY. SIGNIFICANCE IN THE NEPALI AND INDIAN CULTURE. IT IS A TIME TO EXPRESS LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO OUR LOVED ONES, FORGIVE AND FORGET ANY PAST GRIEVANCES , PROMOTE HARMONY AND UNITY AMONG PEOPLE, CREATIVITY , AND FUN AS PEOPLE SING, DANCE AND PLAY WITH COLORS. AND INSPIRES US TO EMBRACE DIVERSITY AND CELEBRATE LIFE IN ALL ITS USE. I INVITE THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, COMMUNITY ADVISER AND COMMISSIONERS , CITY EMPLOYEES, AND PITTSBURGH RESIDENTS TO CELEBRATE HOLI WITH US ON MARCH 23rd FROM 11:00 A.M. UNTIL 5:00 P.M. AT JOHN HENRY JOHNSON PARK IN PITTSBURGH. LET US ALL JOIN IN THE SPIRIT OF HOLI AND SPREAD HAPPINESS AND PEACE TO EVERYONE. LET US MAKE THIS HOLI MEMORABLE AND MEANINGFUL FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS. LET'S PAINT THE WORD WITH THE COLORS OF LOVE, HOPE AND JOY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. >> SURE. >> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS FESTIVAL HERE IN PITTSBURGH? >> IT IS EVERY YEAR. I REMEMBER FOR 5 YEARS. IT USED TO BE A SMALL GATHERING INITIALLY. SINCE 2021, WE WERE ABOUT 80 TO 100 PEOPLE, SO IT IS GROWING. WE ARE EXPECTING ABOUT 200 PEOPLE AT THIS TIME. >> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. >> I WAS GOING TO SAY, THIS SOMETHING SPECTACULAR THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE GOING TO. I HAVEN'T HEARD OF IT BEFORE, SO THAT IS WHY I WAS ASKING HOW MANY YEARS HAS IT BEEN IN PITTSBURGH. USUALLY I HEAR ABOUT DIFFERENT FESTIVALS AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER HEARD ABOUT THIS ONE. THANK YOU FOR DOING IT IN OUR COMMUNITY. I WILL BE SURE TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT IT. IS THERE A WEBSITE OR A FLYER THAT I CAN SEND TO PEOPLE? >> YES. >> VICE CHAIR, I ACTUALLY HAVE A COPY OF IT AND I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE IT. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN. I APPRECIATE IT. WE APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU ARE DOING HERE. >> THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY. >> THANK YOU. NECCO VICE CHAIR, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU TURN ON YOUR MICROPHONES AND TALK INTO THE. >> SORRY. I WAS ENCOURAGING THEM TO GO AND TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES SINCE I WON'T BE AVAILABLE, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE REPRESENTATION. >> I WOULD TELL EVERYBODY. COME TO PITTSBURGH. YOU CAN PLANT A TREE, CATCH A FISH, CELEBRATE HOLI, AND PROBABLY EVEN FIT IN A LITTLE BIT OF AN EASTER EGG HUNT. AND WE HAVE A PANCAKE BREAKFAST TO KEEP YOUR ENERGY UP. YOU CAN SPEND A FUN DAY IN PITTSBURGH ON MARCH 23rd. >> I'M EXCITED. >> YOU CAN ANY DAY. ESPECIALLY ON MARCH 23rd. >> THERE IS A LOT GOING ON THAT DAY. THAT'S TRUE. START THE PANCAKE BREAKFAST, THEN GO FISH, GO TO HOLI, AND AN EASTER EGG HUNT. THAT'S TRUE. OKAY. DO WE HAVE ANY OLD BUSINESS? NEW BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION. >> YES. MADAM VICE CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE BEAR WITH ME HERE. I AM SHAMING THIS ON MY PHONE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE VISUALS RIGHT. I AM SEEING THAT WE ARE ONLY --WATCHING THIS RECORDING. I'M ONLY SEEING THE COMPUTER SCREEN. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THIS FIGURED OUT. OKAY. I THINK WE SHOULD BE GOOD. AGAIN, GOOD EVENING, MADAM VICE CHAIR, COMMUNITY ADVISER COMMISSIONERS. WE'VE GOT A LOT GOING ON IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. I KNOW THAT HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT THIS GROUP HAS ASKED A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT. IN FACT, QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OF THE WORK WE'VE BEEN DOING HAVE ALREADY COME UP ALREADY. I HAVE A FEW SLIDES HERE. I WANT TO GO WITH THEM QUICK WITH THE INTENTION OF LEAVING TIME FOR YOU ALL TO ASK QUESTIONS. WE CAN REVISIT SOME OF THESE THINGS BECAUSE IT IS A LOT GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WITH THAT, I WANT TO FIRST JUST LET EVERYBODY KNOW AGAIN, WE'VE GOT 77,000 RESIDENTS MORE RIGHT NOW. WE ARE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING CITIES IN CALIFORNIA. WE GOT A LOT OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS COMING IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS. WE ARE DOING ABOUT 100-150 NEW HOUSING UNITS A YEAR. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING -- IT IS A LOT. THAT MEANS WE WILL GROW. THE DEVELOPMENT IS ALMOST ENTIRELY FUNDED THROUGH PRIVATE ENTERPRISE WITHOUT ANY CONTRIBUTION FROM THE CITY. THE ALMOST HERE IS BECAUSE WE HAVE PROJECTS LIKE VETERAN SQUARE AND SOME OTHER HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WITH THE CITY HAS PROVIDED A BIT OF ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE WE GET THOSE MUCH-NEEDED UNITS ONLINE. WE'VE INVESTED A LOT IN INFRASTRUCTURE. NOT EVEN COUNTING THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT COMES FROM PRIVATE DEVELOPERS AND SALES. TOTALING OVER 100 MILLION FOR THESE PROJECTS. $200 MILLION. THAT IS THE AMOUNT OF PRIVATE DOLLARS. PRIVATE DOLLARS UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH RIGHT NOW AS WE EAT. IF YOU LOOK AT THE HOTEL THAT IS BEING DEVELOPED RIGHT OUTSIDE, A LOT OF THE HOMES BEING BUILT, THE PROJECT THAT WAS JUST FINISHED. THERE IS A LOT OF INVESTMENT IN PITTSBURGH. THAT REALLY SPEAKS TO THE AMOUNT OF POTENTIAL THAT DEVELOPERS SEE IN PITTSBURGH. THIS IS WHERE THEY WANT TO INVEST THEIR DOLLARS. WE GOT ALL KINDS OF DEVELOPMENT. WE'VE GOT OF COURSE MULTIPLE HOTELS, A NEW FARMERS MARKET THAT IS GOING UP IN THE SAN MARCO AREA, RESIDENTIAL UNITS OF ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF AFFORDABILITY LEVELS. EVEN RENOVATIONS TO BUILDINGS DOWNTOWN. HISTORIC BUILDINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE REJUVENATED TO HELP CONTRIBUTE TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS OF THE CITY. WE TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ILLEGAL DUMPING EARLIER. I DID HAPPEN TO HAVE A FEW SLIDES IN HERE. THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN TALKING QUITE A LOT OVER THE LAST COUPLE DAYS. THIS IS WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL ON MONDAY NIGHT. IT IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING AN ISSUE. I THINK IT WAS MENTIONED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WE MOVED 630-ISH MATTRESSES. THAT IS ALMOST TWO A DAY THAT PUBLIC WORKS IS GOING OUT AND HAVING TO REMOVE FROM ROADWAYS AND OTHER AREAS WHERE NOT ONLY ARE THEY UNSIGHTLY, BUT THEY ARE DANGEROUS. WE DON'T WANT TO CAUSE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. THEY ARE OFTEN LARGE, HEAVY, MAY BE HAZARDOUS OR CONTAIN HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. ALTHOUGH THE CRIME UNDER STATE LAW TO LITTER, ILLEGALLY DUMPED, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PROSECUTION. THE CITY IS LOOKING AT WHAT IT CAN DO TO HELP CURB THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. IN JUST SOME NUMBERS, YOU CAN SEE IT IS MASSIVE. IT IS A MASSIVE ISSUE. 306 CUBIC YARDS IN 2021, AND 288 IN 2022. I LOOK AT THOSE, BECAUSE THAT IS PROBABLY THE EASIEST THING TO COMPREHEND. FORD F-150, JUST YOUR STANDARD FORD F-150 TRUCK. IF YOU FILL UP THAT TRUCK BED ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE CAB, THAT IS ABOUT 4-4 1/2 CUBIC YARDS. THINK ABOUT HOW MANY TRUCKS FULL OF ILLEGAL DEBRIS AND TRASH ARE BEING DUMPED IN THE CITY TO GET TO 306 CUBIC YARDS. THAT'S A LOT. THAT IS FROM THE CLEANUP OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS. IN 2022, THERE WAS STILL 208. THERE WAS A LOT OF PICKUP THAT OUR STAFF IS HAVING TO DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT. THE ORDINANCE --I WOULD NOT READ THIS ENTIRE THING, I WOULD JUST TOUCH ON SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS. THIS WOULD INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION FOR A FINE OF UP TO $1000 PER OCCURRENCE PER DAY. IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW THE CITY TO PLACE RESPONSIBILITY UPON THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE, SHOULD THAT OWNER OR OPERATOR HAVE REASONABLY HAVE HAD KNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS USED IN THE COMMISSION. IF SOMEBODY LOANS THEIR TRUCKS TO SOMEBODY, AND THAT IS USED TO CALL CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS FROM THE CONSTRUCTION SITE, AND IT IS ILLEGALLY DUBBED TO THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH, WE WILL HOPEFULLY CATCH THE PERSON WHO WAS DRIVING AND USING THE TRUCK. IF NOT, IF WE CAN ALREADY DEFINE WHAT THE TRUCK IS, WE CAN POTENTIALLY HOLD THE OWNER OF THAT TRUCK RESPONSIBLE. THAT IS KEY. WE ARE REALLY LOOKING TO ENFORCE THIS ORDINANCE. ANOTHER BIG THING, RETAIL RECRUITMENT. THE ILLEGAL DUMPING, YEAH, WE WANT A BEAUTIFUL CITY. WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CITY. IT IS THE SMALL AREAS WHERE THERE IS CONSISTENT ILLEGAL DUMPING. WE DON'T WANT THAT. THE BUSINESSES I'M ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT, WE WANT THEM TO COME TO PITTSBURGH . THIS IS A PLACE THAT IS VERY PRIDEFUL, BECAUSE WE KNOW IT IS. A PLACE THAT IS INVESTED IN MAKING SURE THE CITY IS CLEAN. RETAIL RECRUITMENT. INCREASING THE RESTAURANT AND RETAIL OPPORTUNITIES IS REALLY PARAMOUNT IN ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF PITTSBURGH, PROVIDING MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND ATTRACTING HIGHER AND EMPLOYERS. THEY WILL LOOK AT OUR CITY AND THEY WILL WANT TO KNOW WHERE THEIR EMPLOYEES CAN EAT IF THEY WERE TO LIVE IN PITTSBURGH. EITHER THE BUSINESS OWNERS OR EMPLOYERS. OR THEY WILL SHOP. WHERE WILL THEY GO FOR ENTERTAINMENT? WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH A COMPANY CALLED RETAIL STRATEGIES, WHICH WAS CHOSEN FOR THEIR STRATEGIES IN HELPING RECRUIT BUSINESSES TO CITIES. TO HELP US FEEL IN SOME OF OUR --THE EXISTING SPACES THAT DON'T HAVE TENANTS, OR ARE PRIMED FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE IN NEED OF A DEVELOPER OF A BUSINESS THAT CAN COME IN AND BUILD FROM THE GROUND UP. RETAIL STRATEGIES IS PROPOSING TO CONTACT THE MINIMUM OF 30 RETAILERS EACH YEAR. THIS IS A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT. REPRESENTING ANYONE ELSE IN THE CONTRA CONSTA COUNTY. GREAT. WE WILL NOT BE COMPETING USING THE SAME AS THE CITIES. THEY WILL BE SOLELY FOCUSED ON PITTSBURGH. WHEN THEY GO TO TRADE SHOWS LIKE ICSC, THEY CAN REPRESENT THIS CITY OF PITTSBURGH. THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT KICKING OFF. WE'VE ALSO INITIATED A BRANDING AND MARKETING STRATEGY. WE WANT FOLKS TO SEE WHAT WE SEE. THE FOLKS OUTSIDE OF PITTSBURGH. THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT PITTSBURGH HAS GOING FOR IT. WE'VE CONTRACTED WITH A COMPANY CALLED NORTHSTAR. THEY DONE A LOT OF WORK THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA, WORKING FOR A LOT OF SUCCESSFUL JURISDICTIONS. THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY TO COME UP WITH A BRANDING STRATEGY. ALSO A MARKETING STRATEGY. JUST SO EVERYBODY KNOWS, WE'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR. THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR WITH US. THE ANCHOR IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE. WE ARE LOOKING TO REFINE HOW WE PRESENT OURSELVES AND LOOK FOR OTHER CHANNELS TO PRESENT OURSELVES TO LET FOLKS KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN PITTSBURGH. WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH NORTHSTAR. I BELIEVE WE WERE GOING TO TRY TO HAVE THEM BEFORE CAC. WE HAD TO CANCEL A MEETING. WHEN THEY COME BACK IN THE SPRING, WE WILL HAVE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS EFFORT IS AND GET YOUR INPUT. THERE IS A SURVEY. IF YOU GO TO EMPOWERINGPITTSBURGH.COM. PLEASE TAKE THE SURVEY. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC, WHAT YOU SEE AS THE FUTURE OF PITTSBURGH. AND THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE PROBABLY SEEN IF YOU FOLLOWED THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH ON FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM. WE POST THIS PRETTY CONSISTENTLY BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO GET FOLKS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK. WE'VE ALSO KICKED OFF A MURAL AND PUBLIC OUR INITIATIVE. THIS IS SOMETHING WE SPOKE ABOUT BEFORE THE CAC. IT IS PROBABLY PUSHING TWO YEARS AGO. WE ARE REALLY TRYING NOW TO GET MORE MURALS AND PUBLIC ART THROUGHOUT THE CITY. RONALD McDOWELL, THE FENCE ADJACENT TO THE CENTER . THAT TURNED OUT JUST WONDERFULLY. OF COURSE, THERE IS THE MURAL ON THE EAST HARDWARE BUILDING. HERE, WE HAVE PICTURES OF TWO MURALS IN THE OLD TOWN AREA. WE'VE GOT ONE THAT IS ALONG SIXTH STREET ON THE SIDE OF CREATION BISTRO. IT IS REALLY COOL BECAUSE IT IS TUCKED AWAY IN A LITTLE POCKET. YOU GOT THIS ARCHWAY THAT WAS REALLY BLANK. NOW YOU GOT SOMETHING THAT ADDS VALUE TO THAT AREA THE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE MUCH OTHER THAN A LITTLE BIT OF ELECTRIC PLUMBING INFRASTRUCTURE THERE. WE'VE GOT A LARGE ONE THAT IS ADJACENT TO THE PARKING LOT. WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE THESE UNDERWAY. WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME DRIER WEATHER OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. WE ARE REALLY HOPING THIS LARGE ONE CAN GET GOING AND THEY CAN START PAINTING THAT ONE. WE WILL MAKE SURE WE SHARE SOME PROJECT PICTURES. MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA. LOCAL ADDITION CREATIVE. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR LOCAL ARTISTS TO GET THESE MURALS GOING. WE WANT TO BRING MURALS TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY. REALLY SPED -- OF PITTSBURGH. WE ALSO RECENTLY LAUNCHED AN IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OUR DEVELOPMENT MANAGER ROBERT CARRERA HELPED INITIATE. WE ARE OFFERING GRANTS OF UP TO $10,000 FOR BUSINESS AND OR MEMBERS THAT WANT TO IMPROVE THE AESTHETICS AND EXTERIOR OF THEIR PLACE OF BUSINESS. THIS CAN COVER EVERYTHING FROM NEW PAINT TO WINDOW COVERINGS, REPAIRS THAT ARE NEEDED . IF THERE IS WEAR AND TEAR, LANDSCAPING, PLANTS, SIGNAGE, ANYTHING THAT WILL ENHANCE THE EXTERIOR. THAT WILL TRY TO MAKE THIS A LITTLE MORE -- NOT JUST AESTHETICALLY PLEASING, BUT ALSO INVITING. THE WORST THING THAT KILLS THE DOWNTOWN AREA FOR EXAMPLE IS WHEN YOU ARE WALKING DOWN THE STREET, THERE IS JUST UNATTRACTIVE AREAS THAT DON'T MAKE YOU WANT TO GO ANY FURTHER. WE WANT PEOPLE TO SAY, OH, I WANT TO GO TO THE NEXT-DOOR FRONT. OH, THAT IS A NICE SIGN. THAT WILL REALLY BRING IN FOOT TRAFFIC AND CAUSED PEOPLE TO STAY. EAT DINNER, GET BACK IN THEIR CAR AND LEAVE. WE WANT THEM TO WALK, FEEL COMFORTABLE, AND HAVE A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. THIS IS THE IEFD, OR ENHANCED INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING DISTRICT. THIS ALSO PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN HELPING ATTRACT THE MAJOR LAWYERS TO PITTSBURGH. THE FINANCING IS A MECHANISM THAT ALLOWS THE CITY TO TAKE A PORTION OF PROPERTY TAX INCREMENTS IN CONTRIBUTING THAT DIRECTLY TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT. NOW WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IF YOU PLAY --PAY $100 IN TAX MONEY ON A VACANT PIECE OF PROPERTY, BUT THEN YOU BUILD ON THAT, AND I YOUR PROPERTY TAXES $200, IT ALLOWS US TO TAKE A PORTION OF THAT INCREASE . THAT IS BETWEEN $100 AND $200. A PORTION OF THAT AND CONTRIBUTE IT TO INFRASTRUCTURE. PROPERTY OWNERS, HOMEOWNERS. FRANKLY, THIS DOESN'T AFFECTS FOLKS THAT LIVE IN HOUSES THAT ARE CURRENTLY BUILT . THIS IS ONLY FOR AREAS THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED. THAT IS WHERE YOU WILL SEE THE INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAX. WE CAN TAKE SOME OF THAT MONEY AND WE CAN CONTRIBUTED -- NEW ROADWAYS. THAT WILL BE WATERLINE IMPROVEMENTS, THINGS THAT BUSINESSES ACTUALLY NEED IN ORDER TO LOCATE HERE. THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY KEY IN ATTRACTING THE EMPLOYERS TO SOME OF OUR INDUSTRIAL AREAS. BOTH BUILDING AND MAINTAINING THE ROADWAYS THAT ARE NEEDED, THE SEWER LINES, THE WATER LINES. ALL OF THAT. THE PFA, THE PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY BOARD IS MADE UP OF THE MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER SERVING ON THE FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION SUBCOMMITTEE, CITY TREASURER, AND ONE ADDITIONAL MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. I'VE HEARD FROM A COUPLE OF FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THAT POSITION. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE CONSIDERING AT A LATER DATE FOLKS FROM BOTH THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THE ADVISORY COMMISSION, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR A POSITION ON THE BOARD. IT MEETS TWICE A YEAR GOING FORWARD ON MONDAYS AT 6:00 P.M. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WHILE WE ESTABLISHED THE PLAN AND PUBLIC HEARINGS. WE HAVE TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN NORMAL. ONCE THE FINANCING AUTHORITY ADOPTS THE PLAN TO FIND THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE MEETINGS ARE GENERALLY GOING TO BE TWICE A YEAR. SO THAT IS A LOT, BUT THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION. AGAIN, I WENT 20 --PRETTY QUICKLY. I WANTED TO LEAVE TIME FOR YOU ALL TO ASK QUESTIONS, TO GO BACK TO ANY SLIDES. I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO TALK ABOUT THIS. MADAM VICE CHAIR, I WOULD OFFER THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO OPEN THIS UP AND ALLOW PUBLIC COMMENT. WE NORMALLY DON'T ADDRESS QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC DIRECTLY UNLESS YOU REQUEST THAT, BUT WE CAN ALLOW THEM TO MAYBE PROVIDE INPUT, OR MAKE SOME STATEMENTS ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE GOING ON. >> THANK YOU. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO, ROLAND? ISABEL? YES? OKAY. >> REALLY QUICK, ON THE ILLEGAL DUMPING, IT IS HAPPENING WHEN I KIND OF DRIVE AROUND TO THE AREAS. I RUN MY ERRANDS AND EVERYTHING. I NOTICED THERE ARE ALWAYS SITES THAT ARE JUST --PEOPLE JUST BASICALLY DUMP THERE. IT IS NEVER, EVER CLEANED UP. YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DRIVE BY IT ALL THE TIME. I SEE IT ALL THE TIME. I'M JUST WONDERING, WHY AREN'T THOSE AREAS -- I MEAN, THERE ARE SO MANY. >> YEAH, COMMISSIONER, I DON'T HAVE A GOOD ANSWER FOR YOU. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN NOTICED, PEOPLE HAVEN'T REPORTED IT, AND GENERALLY SPEAKING, WE TEND TO FOCUS ON THE ONES PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED. WE ARE OUT THERE PICKING STUFF UP. PUBLIC WORKS IS THAT THERE PICKING STUFF UP ALL THE TIME. WE TRY TO BE MOST RESPONSIVE TO THE PLACES WHERE FOLKS HAD IDENTIFIED, BECAUSE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT IS BOTHERING OUR RESIDENTS. BUT BEFORE YOU LEAVE TONIGHT, TELL ME THE GENERAL AREA YOU ARE LOOKING GET AND I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY OUT THERE TOMORROW. >> IS THERE -- YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS MUST HAVE A SYSTEM OF IDENTIFYING THE AREAS THAT ARE REPEATEDLY REPORTED OVER THE YEARS. ARE THOSE AREAS -- YOU KNOW, IS THAT WHERE CODE ENFORCEMENT BEGINS TO CHECK FIRST? PEOPLE BASICALLY HAVE A PATTERN, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING THOUGH, RIGHT? >> I DO. I APOLOGIZE, COMMISSIONER. I KNOW WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE SEEING EACH OTHER. MAKE SURE YOU TALK IN THE MICROPHONE. I CAN HEAR YOU, BUT THE FOLKS THAT MAY BE WATCHING THIS LATER CAN'T. IF WE HAVE THESE HOTSPOTS THAT I REPEATEDLY DUMP THAT, ARE THOSE AREAS THAT WE CHECK? THE ANSWER IS, YES. PUBLIC WORKS DEFINITELY MAKE SURE THAT WE GO TO THOSE AREAS, ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE AREAS WHERE A ROADWAY COULD BE BLOCKED, OR OTHERWISE IMPACTED, BECAUSE I WILL FIRST AND FOREMOST -- OUR CONCERN IS MAKING SURE THAT OUR ROADWAYS AND AREAS ARE SAFE. THAT OFTENTIMES TAKES PRECEDENT. IF IT IS A PUBLIC PROPERTY, A PUBLIC ROADWAY, WE WILL ALWAYS MAKE SURE THOSE ARE CLEANED UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE DO NOT WANT ANYBODY, FIRST OF ALL, WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY HURT. WE DON'T WANT THEIR PROPERTY DAMAGE. WE ALSO DON'T SOMEBODY HITTING A REFRIGERATOR THAT COULD LEAK CHEMICALS INTO A STORM DRAIN, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WE MAKE SURE WE ADDRESS THOSE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. >> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE QUITE A FEW QUESTIONS. >> I FIGURED YOU WOULD. >> ISABEL, TO ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS, I KNOW IF YOU SEE IT RIGHT THERE ON HARVARD STREET, ARE BEHIND -- DIFFERENT PLACES LIKE THAT, THOSE ARE PRIVATE PROPERTIES. THEY HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PRIVATE OWNERS TO CLEAN THOSE UP. THOSE AREN'T OUR AREAS. >> THAT IS A GREAT POINT, VICE CHAIR. IT ALSO REMINDS ME, IF THINGS ARE DUMPED ON EITHER --OR RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY , NOT ONLY IS IT NOT OUR PROPERTY AND WE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO GO ON THOSE, BUT GETTING A HOLD OF THOSE AGENCIES IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT THAN GETTING A HOLD OF JUST THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER. THEY CAN GET A HOLD OF THE PROPERTY MANAGER FOR SOMEWHERE LIKE WALMART MUCH EASIER THAN I CAN GET A HOLD OF THE -- ROADWAYS WHO IS IN CHARGE OF CLEANING THAT. >> FIRST QUESTION ON THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE FOR THE ILLEGAL DUMPING. I SEE THAT THE CITY MANAGERS AUTHORIZE THE -- I MEAN, WHAT HAPPENS FOR MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS? >> POSSIBLY, IT COULD BE MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMITTEE SERVICE, MULTIPLE FUNDS. WHAT I DON'T WANT TO TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT, BECAUSE IT IS NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE. WE WOULD NEED TO TALK TO THE CITY ATTORNEY. IF YOU HAVE REPEAT OFFENDERS, THERE IS STILL THE OPPORTUNITY THAT THIS COULD BE REPORTED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY. WE WOULD STILL POSSIBLY LOOK AT OTHER ACTIONS THAT WE COULD TAKE TO REMEDY THE ONGOING CHALLENGES, IF WE DO FIND SOMEBODY WHO IS CONSISTENTLY DOING THIS. WE WOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. IT JUST WON'T MAKE FINANCIAL SENSE FOR THEM TO DO THIS. WE NEVER WANT TO TRY TO CITE OUR WAY OUT OF THE PROBLEM. >> SO I WAS READING THE ARTICLE THAT WAS IN THE NEWSPAPER IN REGARDS TO THIS. I WAS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND. THEY SAID THEY COULD HOLD THE REGISTRATION, OR PUT FINES AGAINST CARS, DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT. OUR USING THE CAMERAS, PHOTOS, AND ANYTHING LIKE THAT TO HELP GET THIS DONE? ARE WE ABLE TO SAY LEVERAGE? I KNOW THERE ARE PLENTY OF CAMERAS ON --AS AN EXAMPLE. IF I DUB SOMETHING OUT OF THE CAR AND THIS GETS MY LESSON PLAY, ARE WE ABLE TO SEND TICKETS, FINES? HOW DOES IT TECHNICALLY WORK? I DO I HAVE TO DRIVE UP ON YOU AND SEE YOU DUMPING? >> THE IDEA HERE, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO UTILIZE OUR ALP ARE ANIMATED LICENSE PLATE CAMERA READERS TO IDENTIFY THE VEHICLES. WE WOULD TREAT IT AS WE WOULD ANOTHER CRIME IN THE SENSE OF, WE WOULD UTILIZE THE DATA THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO IDENTIFY WHO THE OWNER IS OF THAT TRUCK, AND THEN WE COULD FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE TO CONTACT THEM, AND EITHER PROVIDE THEM WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION, OR IDENTIFY WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN UTILIZING THE TRUCK? AND THEN WE WILL GO FROM THERE. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> OKAY, SO NOW ON TO RETAIL RECRUITMENT. THIS RETAIL RECRUITMENT, ARE THEY ALSO ENCOURAGED TO KEEP THE BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE HERE TO STAY HERE? ARE THEY WORKING WITH THOSE ALSO, ARE THEY JUST DOING NEW BUSINESSES? >> THEY ARE REALLY NOT WORKING WITH THE BUSINESSES WE HAVE HERE. THAT IS WHERE THE DAY-TO-DAY JOB OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION TO WORK THROUGH THOSE. SAY, THE BIGGEST BENEFIT IN A LOT OF THE LARGER SHOPPING CENTERS, IT IS TO HAVE OTHER BUSINESSES THERE. GRANTED WE WILL PROBABLY TRY TO SHY AWAY FROM HAVING TOO MUCH OF A CONVERSATION --OF BUSINESSES. FRANKLY, THEY DON'T WANT TO LOCATE NEXT TO SOMEBODY WHO SELLS THE EXACT SAME PRODUCT. YOU KNOW, THE BEST THING FOR THE PLAZA, HAVING THE TARGET THERE. ARE HAVING THE NEXT BIG THING THAT WOULD REPLACE TARGET. IN THAT WAY, IT REALLY COULD BENEFIT A LOT OF THE EXISTING BENEFITS TO HELP BRING IN LARGER SCALE BUSINESSES THAT ATTRACT MORE CUSTOMERS, MORE PEOPLE TO THE AREA. AND IN TURN, HELP SUPPORT THEM. >> I WAS ASKING ABOUT RETENTION, BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT CHILI'S IS LEAVING? >> WE REACHED OUT TO THE PROPERTY OWNER. TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE, CHILI'S IS NOT LEAVING. THAT BEING SAID, WE CONTINUE TO MONITOR. SPEAKING WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER, THEY WERE AWARE OF CHILI'S LEAVING. WE HAVE NOT HEARD OTHERWISE. OUR FINGERS ARE CROSSED . THAT IS A RUMOR THAT SOMEHOW GOT STARTED BUT IS NOT TRUE. >> GOOD. RETAIL STRATEGIES. YOU SAY THEY HAVE A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT? HOW MUCH ARE THEY PAYING THEM? >> $50,000 A YEAR, BUT WE CAN CANCEL A CONTRACT AT THE END OF EACH YEAR. >> EITHER IN THE CONTRACT ANYWHERE? DOES IT SAY THEY HAD TO DO A MINIMAL? I KNOW THEY SAY THEY WERE RETURNED TO 30 RETAILERS. DOES IT SAY ANYWHERE WILL THEY WILL GET AT LEAST 10 RETAILERS AT ANY GIVEN POINT? >> NO. IT DOES NOT SAY THAT. I CAN'T SAY THIS. THIS WAS ON THE SLIDES. I CAN GO BACK TO THEM. WE WILL PAY POTENTIALLY $150,000 TO RETAIL STRATEGISTS, BUT LANDING ONE MEDIUM TO LARGE RETAILER ON AVERAGE WILL BRING THE CITY $120-$160,000 IN SALES TECH. IN THE FIRST YEAR IF WE WERE TO EVEN LAND ONE, IT WILL POTENTIALLY COVER THE COST OF THIS CONTRACT. AND HOPEFULLY, THAT IS ONGOING. AND WE SEE THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IF WE ARE EVEN TO ABLE TO. THERE'S ALSO A MAJOR QUALITY. FOR WHATEVER REASON, IF WE DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AFTER YEAR ONE OR TWO, WE CAN CANCEL THE CONTRACT, MOVE ON AND PROCEED IN ANOTHER DIRECTION TO TRY TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES. >> OKAY. SAME QUESTION FOR NORTHSTAR. >> I BELIEVE THE TERM THEY ARE PROPOSING THAT THEY WILL COMPLETE THE FIRST PHASE, WHICH IS REALLY THE PHASE WHERE HE, WITH THE PLANNING. THAT IS WITHIN THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS. THEN THERE WILL BE A SECOND PHASE WHERE WE IMPLEMENT SOME OF THE MARKETING. I BELIEVE THAT CONTRACT IS FOR AROUND 140. I WOULD HAVE TO DO GIVE YOU THE EXACT NUMBER. >> HOW ARE WE PAYING FOR IT? >> THAT IS USING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTUAL SERVICE BUDGET. >> OKAY. I'M JUST MAKING SURE IT IS NOT COMING OUT OF OUR BUDGET. >> [ LAUGHTER ] >> THE FACADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT, HOW MANY BUSINESSES CAN THIS GRANT SUPPORT? >> THEY ARE UP TO $10,000. WE ARE SEEDING THIS WITH $30,000, BECAUSE THAT IS PRELIMINARY WHAT WE IDENTIFIED. HOWEVER, WE ARE FORTUNATE THROUGH BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE THAT WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A SURPLUS IN SOME OF OUR FUNDING. WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE GOING FORWARD TO THE CITY COUNCIL AT AN UPCOMING MEETING TO INCREASE THAT TO $100,000, POTENTIALLY HELPING 10 BUSINESSES AT $10,000 EACH. HOWEVER, THERE MIGHT BE SOME THAT DON'T NEED THE ENTIRE 10. IN THAT INSTANCE, WE WILL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP A FEW OTHERS. IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL, IT WILL BE AT THE WILL OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS GOING FORWARD. >> OKAY. TWO QUESTIONS THAT ARE NOT IN THIS. WHEN WILL THE SKATEBOARD PARK BE COMPLETE? >> WE DO NOT HAVE A DATE FOR THAT. >> AND I SAW THAT THEY WERE PAVING SIDEWALK AND PLANTING TREES ACROSS THE STREET. IT IS BETWEEN SCHOOL STREET AND --IS THAT 16th STREET? IT IS RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE CITY PARK. IT USED TO BE LIKE A VACANT LOT. IT USED TO BE A STORE. >> I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, YES. >> IS THAT PART OF WHAT WE ARE DOING? OR IS THAT PRIVATE PROPERTY? >> THAT IS PUBLIC PROPERTY. THAT IS PART OF THE PROJECT BEING FUNDED BY THE $3 MILLION CLEAN CALIFORNIA GRANT THAT --BARKER WAS ABLE TO HELP GET FOR THE CITY . WELCOME BACK, BY THE WAY. SHE RETURNED THIS WEEK FROM MATERNITY LEAVE. THAT IS A SMALL PARK THAT WILL HAVE THE LARGE LETTERS THAT SPELL OUT IT'S BERG ON THE CORNER. IT WILL HAVE A SMALL -- AREA. THAT IS PUBLIC PROPERTY IN THE CITY PUT -- PROJECT. >> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE? I GAVE YOU YOUR CHANCE, NO. NO, GO AHEAD. >> BEFORE COVID, THE FARMERS MARKET, GROCERY STORES. WE COULDN'T RETAIN THEM. WITH INFLATION NOW, HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO ANY OF THIS STUFF NOW? WHEN GROCERY STORES -- BEFORE IT WAS BECAUSE WE CAN GET ONE BECAUSE THE OVERALL INCOME DIDN'T MEET . ARE THE INCOMES THERE NOW? HOW CAN WE DO THAT? >> THAT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION. OUR INCOME IS THERE NOW. WE ARE SEEING A DESIRE TO LOCATE HERE. THAT IS HOW WE WERE ABLE TO GET SPROUTS. IT'S ALL PITTSBURGH AS A GREAT LOCATION. RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS IDENTIFYING SITES. WE CAN SAY, THERE IS THE SITE AND THERE IS THE SITE. WHAT WE ARE HEARING CONSISTENTLY IS TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE. THEY WANT SITES THAT ARE NEAR CERTAIN AMENITIES, NEAR FREEWAYS, THAT TYPE OF THING. WE ARE CONTINUING TO FIND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS AND WILL HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO ATTRACT SOME OF THESE STORIES THAT WE REALLY NEED. I THINK IT IS A HUGE GET AND IS A GREAT PLACE TO START. HAVING A GROCERY STORE OVER IN THAT AREA OF TOWN, WHICH IS REALLY BECOMING A FOOD DESERT. THAT IS FANTASTIC. HOPEFULLY WE IMPROVE SOME OF OUR SHOPPING CENTERS BOTH THROUGH THE FACADE IMPROVEMENT CENTER, ALSO OTHER WORK WE ARE DOING LIKE THE REVISION HE --RE-VISIONING OF THE CORRIDOR. MAKING SOME OF THESE FOLKS LOOK AT PITTSBURGH AND SEE IT AS A PLACE WHERE NOT ONLY IS IT THE INCOME, THERE IS THE CONCENTRATION OF ROOFTOPS TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES. THAT IS GOING TO PROVE TO BE KEY IN BRINGING SOME OF THESE BUSINESSES HERE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING HERE. THE FLIPSIDE OF THAT, THE BUSINESSES, IT BECOMES A BIT OF A CHICKEN AND EGG SITUATION. HOWEVER, WE'VE GOT THE DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL BE COMING IN. WE FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO ENTICE FOLKS TO COME. THERE WILL BE A SKILL THAT TIPS ONCE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF HOUSING IS BUILT. THEY WILL SAY, WE CAN LOCATE HERE. THERE ARE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF GROCERY STORE, THIS TYPE OF GROCERY STORE, AND THIS TYPE. REALLY PROVIDE A LOT OF VARIETY AND CHOICES FOR OUR RESIDENTS. >> AS A PITTSBURGH RESIDENT, I SEE ILLEGAL DUMPING IS A REAL CHALLENGE. I'M JUST CURIOUS. WHAT IS CAUSING THIS? IS IT BECAUSE OF RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS, THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO DISPOSE BIG ITEMS? HAS THE CITY DONE ANY RESEARCH? ANY RESEARCH ON THAT? OR IS THE CITY PLANNING TO PROVIDE SOME KIND OF ASSISTANCE? I'D APPRECIATE IT. >> IN THAT SENSE, HOW CAN I SAY THIS WITHOUT BEING MEAN? IT IS NOT PEOPLE THAT ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD . IT IS PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST BEING CHEAP AND TRYING TO KEEP MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS. YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO DUMP THE COUCH. YOU WILL KEEP WHAT YOU HAVE. THOSE PEOPLE WHO JUST WANT TO KEEP MONEY IN THEIR POCKET, SOMETIMES IT IS ACTUALLY COMPANIES . I WILL PAY YOU $300 TO DUMP MY THINGS , BUT YOU FIGURE THAT, HEY, YOU HAVE TO USE SOME OF THAT, SO YOU WANT TO KEEP THE WHOLE 300. SO HOW CAN YOU KEEP THE WHOLE 300? DRIVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DUMP WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR TRUCK. THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE FOUND WE WANT TO FIND OUT WHY PEOPLE ARE DUMPING. SOME PEOPLE FELT LIKE THEY ARE HELPING HOMELESS PEOPLE BY TAKING THE MATTRESSES, BLANKETS, OR DIFFERENT STUFF LIKE THAT. IT MAY HELP THEM SOMEWHAT. MOST OF THE TIME, THEY JUST LEAVE IT IN TO ANOTHER AREA. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DRAG A BIG MATTRESS WITH THEM IF THEY MOVED TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION. SO WHERE DOES IT SAY? ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE SOMEONE DONATED IT. THAT IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN FINDING IN SOME OF THE RESEARCH THAT WE'VE DONE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OR COMMENTS? OKAY. >> THIS IS A QUESTION TO JORDAN. YOU KNOW THE FACADE GRANT PROGRAM --BEFORE GIVING THE GRANT TO THE BUSINESS, THAT THEY ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF BUSINESS THAT IS BEING GENERATED BY THE STORE OR BUSINESS? I SEE A LOT OF RESTAURANTS IN SMALL PLACES THAT COULD USE THIS, BUT I HARDLY SEE ANYONE GOING IN THERE. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? I CAN SEE THE VALUE OF IMPROVING THE FUNDS TO THE QUALIFIED BUSINESSES. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOT SPEND THIS -- YOU KNOW, THE CLIENTS. >> CANNOT ANSWER THAT, JORDAN? >> SURE. >> WHY WOULD YOU GO INTO A BUSINESS THAT DOESN'T LOOK APPEALING? THEREFORE WHEN YOU HAVE A FACADE IMPROVEMENT, YOU MAY GET MORE BUSINESS BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE IMPROVED OUTLOOK. TO BUY ANY FOOD OR GETTING ANY IMPROVEMENT. THIS MAY IMPROVE THEIR BUSINESS. >> WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS THAT A BUSINESS MEANS THE QUALIFY FOR THIS? >> IT IS AN APPLICATION PROCESS. >> OKAY. >> BUT WE CAN'T JUST SAY BECAUSE WE DON'T SEE PEOPLE GOING INTO THEIR BUSINESS, WE SHOULDN'T HELP IMPROVE THEIR BUSINESS. WE WANT TO KEEP ALL BUSINESSES HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY . AND IF WE CAN HELP IMPROVE THE COMMUNITIES, THAT HELPS THE CITY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? CONCERNS? OKAY. WE ARE GETTING TO THE END OF OUR AGENDA. ANY COMMISSION OR COMMENTS? NO? OKAY. I HAVE A COMMENT TO JORDAN. I DON'T KNOW WHO MONITORS THE NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS THAT COME INTO OUR COMMUNITY. BUT I'VE GOTTEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT ATCHINSON. HOW THEY ARE TAKING DEPOSITS AND PEOPLE CAN'T MOVE IN FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS. HAVE PEOPLE HAVE MOVED IN AND THE RUGS THAT ARE IN THEIR ALREADY MOLDED AND ARE NOT GOOD. JUST A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT COMPLAINTS. SO I'M WONDERING, WHO IN OUR COMMUNITY OR CITY ACTUALLY MONITORS THESE NEW BUSINESSES? I REMEMBER WHEN THEY STARTED TO BUILD, A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE PROTESTING, SAYING THEY WEREN'T A GOOD COMPANY TO BRING IT TO OUR COMMUNITY ANYWAY. AND I UNDERSTAND, THEY BOUGHT PRIVATE PROPERTY, SO IT WAS THEIR PREROGATIVE TO ACTUALLY BUILD THERE. WHO MONITORS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT -- IN OUR COMMUNITY? >> THAT WOULD BE ME IN MY DEPARTMENT. I WILL MAKE SURE WE LOOK INTO ANY OF THOSE ISSUES. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> THROUGH THE VICE CHAIR, I THINK YOU HAVE ONE MORE THING THAT YOU WANT TO DO. BEFORE THAT, I DID JUST WANT TO MAKE ONE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE COMMISSION TO KNOW. WE DID HOLD INTERVIEWS FOR THE VACANT SEATS, AS WELL AS THE SEASON WILL BE OPENING UP THIS PAST MONDAY. THE CITY COUNCIL I BELIEVE INTENDS TO APPOINT FOLKS TO THE CAC AT THE UPCOMING MEETING. THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE APPOINTED, THEIR FIRST MEETING WILL BE OUR MEETING IN APRIL, WHICH I BELIEVE IS APRIL 3rd. AT THAT MEETING, WE WILL ALSO DO THE REORG TO SEE THE CHAIR, THE VICE CHAIR, AND POSSIBLY DO APPOINTMENTS TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S. LETTING THE VICE CHAIR KNOW SHE CAN MAKE THAT DECISION. BACK TO YOU, VICE CHAIR. >> IT IS WITH SADNESS THAT I'M GIVING ISABEL THIS CERTIFICATE. WE APPRECIATE YOU. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE WITH THE CAC, WITH YOUR TIME. THIS IS THE CERTIFICATE OF THE APPRECIATION. WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. >> AND I DO WANT TO THANK THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH AND EVERYONE HERE. I LEARNED A LOT, SINCE I AM A NEW RESIDENT OF PITTSBURGH. APPLET THAT I LOVE THEIR -- OUTLOOK THAT A LOT OF OTHER COMMUNITIES. I DID MOVE HERE. REALLY, I LOVE THE CITY. I DO LOVE IT. I THINK IT HAS A LOT TO OFFER. PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF IT AS MUCH AS THEY SHOULD BE. IT JUST HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER. IN MY MIND, I AM ALWAYS THINKING, HOW CAN WE DRAW MORE PEOPLE INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY. I THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> AND WE HAVE ONE FOR ANOTHER COMMISSIONER, BUT SHE IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT HERE. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WILL ADJOURN THIS MEETING AT 8:10. THANK YOU.