minutes-1-21-15

Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Meeting Minutes January 21, 2015

Mission: Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project seeks to improve the quality of life for residents, employees and visitors by enforcing codes on negligent property owners, housing violations, parking violations, disruptive behavior, excessive noise and underage drinking in the Oakland neighborhood.

I.

In attendance: Geof Becker, Maria Bethel, Jaime Bromley, Alicia Carberry, Carly Cottone, Julie Evans, Zoe Feinstein, Lizabeth Gray, Maya Henry, Shuning Huang, Guy Johnson, Hanson Kappelman, Kevin Kerr, Blair Kossis, Shannon Leshen, Janice Lorenz, Bob McPherson, Neil Manganaro, David Manthei, Michael Medwed, Caroline Mitchell, Ashley Murray, Mark Oleniacz, Lawrence Robinson, Kannu Sahni, Evelyn Stafford, Sally Stein, John Tokarski, John Wilds, Wanda Wilson.

II.

Oakland’s Unofficial Nighttime Economy (City of Pittsburgh Nighttime Economy Manager Maya Henry) In 2012, the Responsible Hospitality Initiative was hired by the city as a consultant to share their insights on enhancing vibrancy, assuring safety and planning for the nighttime economy. RHI developed action teams and through this process it was determined the city should hire a need for a nighttime economy manager.

In other Pittsburgh neighborhoods, nighttime economy lies within business districts; in Oakland the nighttime is in business districts and residential areas, in the form of pay-to-enter house parties.

Oakwatch has identified the need for stronger lines of communication among law enforcement agencies and the community.

Geof Becker asked what, specifically, we can do to link citations to the Disruptive Properties Ordinance, and asked Ms. Henry to use her appointment to help bridge this gap. Ms. Henry agreed and looks forward to coming back to Oakwatch in April to report on progress.

The Director of Public Safety and the new Police Chief are both aware of the gap between city and university police reporting.

John Tokarksi noted that moving through various system obstacles has been the problem, not the lack of awareness.

University of Pittsburgh Police Officer Guy Johnson added that soon, citations issued by the University of Pittsburgh Police will be diverted from being heard in downtown courts.

Hanson Kappelman asked if alternatives to drinking have been looked at as nighttime economy boosts. Ms. Henry has spent time looking to amend existing city codes with the new head of the City Planning Department in order to encourage new and creative nighttime businesses.

Wanda Wilson asked if a relationship has yet begun with Liquor Control Enforcement officers to coordinate efforts addressing illegal alcohol sales. Those relationships are still being formed.

On disruptive, inebriated, after-hours groups walking: a Niagara Square neighbor brought up that many bars remind patrons that they are within a community and to be quiet and respectful when walking home. House parties do not promote this messaging.

III.

Oakland Police Partner Crime Reports: Focus on West Oakland a. Pittsburgh Police, Zone 4 Community Relations Officer Shannon Leshen -West Oakland has had eight shooting incidents from December 1, 2014-January 18, 2015. The 100 and 200 blocks of Dunseith Street, 100 and 300 blocks of Robinson, and the 3000 blocks of Terrace have all hosted incidents.

-Zone 4 has met with Zone 2, the Corner, University of Pittsburgh Police, among other neighbors to share updates.

-Public Safety’s John Tokarski noted that ‘gang’ or group activity is no longer limited to one area or ‘turf’, which provides many challenges.

-At this time, sharing more details would compromise the ongoing investigations.

-Burglary numbers spiked during the holiday season. A Parkview Avenue neighbor asked if police are able to correlate locations of large parties to burglaries. Officer Leshen said yes, noting that this is one way to warn against hosting large, disruptive parties.

-Kannu Sahni agreed, and said that the University of Pittsburgh informs their students of best renting practices and when hosting parties, underlines to only invite known people.

-More than 350 hot, free, traditional meals were delivered to people in Zone 4 on Thanksgiving Day, 97 of those to Oakland residents. Thank you to South Oakland Neighborhood Group for helping to coordinate!

-The Tree of Hope at the Zone 4 station (gift-giving program for those affected by homicide) was also a success this year. Thanks to all those who gave gifts.

-Zone 4 Statistics:

b. University of Pittsburgh Police, Officer Guy Johnson.

-For November of 2014, 110 incidents, including 16 physical arrests and 58 citations (34 drinking-related).

-For December of 2014, 74 incidents, including 24 physical arrests and 30 citations.

- Pitt Police had 14 follow-up conversations as part of their Knock-and-Talk programs in November and one in December -Question: Has Pitt increased its police patrols in West Oakland? Yes. IV.

City Council Update (District 3’s Neil Manganaro) -Council President Bruce Kraus’ office fielded 89 calls for Oakland issues in 2014. Potholes, graffiti, sidewalk disrepair, trash, and building violations were prominent issues.

-City Council is not yet linked to 311, but with the soon-to-be-implemented, new interface, they will.

-Rental Registry update: Mayor Peduto’s Policy Manager Matt Barron is actively working out kinks in the legislation. The largest obstacle was that the legislation was not included in the budget submitted to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA).

-Kannu Sahni mentioned that the ICA might be funding the first year fee.

-Note for the future: have Rental Registry as a meeting item and accept input on community concerns.

V.

Research on Over Occupancy (Caroline Mitchell) -Caroline Mitchell informed the group that there is historical precedent in Pennsylvania for large fines to be levied against code violators, based on daily fees after non-compliance following written notices. She encouraged everyone to fully support the Law Department and the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspection (formerly known as BBI) in pursuing over occupancy cases and levying large fines.

-In response to a previous supposition that the city has no ambition to pursue fine collection, Ms. Mitchell referred to a 1999 amendment to Pennsylvania Municipal Planning code that says otherwise.

-Geof Becker noted that as Oakwatch increases focus on over occupancy, it may be useful to find out how many complaints have been made to the city in the last five years, and note followup action.

VI.

Oakland Property Progress Report (PLI Inspector McPherson) Inspector McPherson began by sharing that Zoning Certification training is coming to PLI. He assured the group that many good things are to come.

-3101 Niagara: The Allegheny County Health Department extended the abatement period until February 3rd.

Question: What is the benefit of bringing the county in for enforcement? Answer: Added teeth.

-3421 Parkview: Recent site inspection revealed slow progress for repairs.

-3431/3433 Parkview: Bars from first-floor window removed.

-332 Ophelia: No update.

-244 Dunseith: No update.

-3616 Parkview: Court date January 22. Update at the time of this writing: Property owner Shaun Cusick found guilty in Magisterial Court for failing to apply for a certificate of occupancy, failing to secure a certificate of occupancy, and for having more than three unrelated persons in a single-family house and fined $300,000. Mr. Cusick has the right to appeal.

-343 Lawn: Court date January 23. Update at the time of this writing: Case continued to April 7.

VII.

Disruptive Property Statistics (Maria Bethel): Oakland submission breakdown -5329 Beeler Street submitted to the Ordinance following a disruption.

-On January 8, Mayor Peduto extended the submission period from 6 months to 1 year. Now, citations or arrests count can accumulate over the course of a year to count toward the three strikes to be declared a nuisance.

VIII.

Community Announcements & Events: -Thursday, February 5, 6pm: Zone 4 Public Safety Council meeting. First Aid/CPR presentation by members of Pittsburgh's EMS service. Jewish Community Center, 5738 Forbes Ave. -Tuesday, February 10, 6:30pm: Citizens Police Academy begins. Information and registration at: http://pittsburghpa.gov/police/citizens_police_academy.htm

IX.

Meeting Adjournment.

Next meeting: Wednesday, February 18, 6pm at the Oakland Career Center (294 Semple Street). Our guest speaker will be the City of Pittsburgh’s Chief of Police Cameron McLay. Contact Oakwatch: oakwatch@opdc.org or 412.621.7863 ext. 27. Thanks for keeping us in the loop!