minutes-10-15-14

Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Meeting Minutes October 15, 2014, 6-7:30pm

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, Alicia Carberry, Steve Cetra, Shaun Cusick, Ethel DeIuliis, Joseph Divack, Linda Elachko, Stephanie Felton, Grant Gittlen, Chris Honeywill, Guy Johnson, Bob Kollar, Shannon Leshen, Neil Manganaro, Michael Medwed, Rebekkah Ranallo, Lawrence Robinson, Kathleen Sestili, Carla Spinelli, John Tokarski, John Wilds, Wanda Wilson.

II. Approaches to Illegal Dumping, Q&A a. Allegheny Cleanways' DumpBusters Coordinator Joe Divack: Allegheny CleanWays is a small but hard-working nonprofit devoted to cleaning up illegal dumping in Pittsburgh with volunteers and a small staff. They are familiar with Oakland and looking to do more work here. More information is online at: www.alleghenycleanways.org b. Department of Public Works’ Anti-Litter Coordinator Melissa Rosenfeld: Melissa was unable to attend the meeting but forwarded along information to share: -Department of Public Works has been using cameras to catch illegal dumping as it happens, with success.

-DPW is looking to begin a ‘Put a Lid on it’ campaign to promote awareness of the law requiring all trash cans to be secured with lids. DPW is looking to pilot this project in Oakland.

III. Oakland Police Partner Crime Reports: a. Pittsburgh Police, Zone 4 Community Relations Officer Shannon Leshen -September crime statistics:

-A Parkview Avenue resident asked how the police determine who is worthy of a citation. Officer Leshen explained that it is discretionary, but the police prioritize citing leaseholders when called to disruptions in order to hold the appropriate party responsible. The police intend to resolve incidents as quickly as possible. Citations can be hand-written or done electronically.

-Geof Becker asked if the directive from Public Safety Director Bucar (as read by Council President Kraus at September’s Oakwatch meeting, minutes here: opdc.org/oakwatch) has taken effect yet. Officer Leshen responded that she had only heard it at the previous Oakwatch meeting, and noted that increasing citation numbers is a hot topic among people who believe the police have quotas to fill.

-John Tokarski noted that the approach in pursuing lessees and property owners is to flag addresses under the Disruptive Properties Ordinance.

-Another Parkview Avenue resident asked what types of citations trigger the Disruptive Properties Ordinance, and Officer Leshen shared Zone 4 Commander Degler is in the process of figuring out a better way to track data and property history for presentations to the public.

-In September, no Oakland properties were submitted to the Disruptive Properties Ordinance. b. University of Pittsburgh Police, Officer Guy Johnson/Officer Steve Cetra -29 parties disbanded, five students recommended to the Judicial Board.

-Collaborated with Zone 4 to Knock-and-Talk at 237 N. Dithridge after multiple parties there.

IV. Public Safety Department Update (John Tokarski): -The City-wide Public Safety Zone Council will meet October 29 at the American Legion in Sheraden. In addition to hearing Pittsburgh Police Chief McLay speak, the meeting is a great opportunity to be introduced to other community-minded folks.

-Building Communities of Trust, a federal initiative through the Justice Department will begin soon.

V. Public Safety Officer Overlap (Geof Becker): -Question: Is it possible to communicate across Public Safety departments when one officer notes a code violation? For example, when police are called to a disruption, enter the house, and note disrepair, can the Bureau of Building Inspection easily be notified?

-Answer: BBI receives daily reports to investigate based on 911 calls.

-Worth noting: sometimes BBI inspectors work night shifts.

VI. Mayor’s Office Update (Grant Gittlen): -Open Data: Note that this passed unanimously. The foundation community and Pitt’s University Center for Social and Urban Research (UCSUR) will fund an expanded Open Data portal. The site will be open to the other 131 municipalities in Allegheny County, as well. Various tools will be implemented to make it very user-friendly. Next steps: in the next six months, a pilot portal will debut.

-311: in its current state, lacks a knowledge base. An accessible-across-all platforms app will be rolled

out next year via QSCEND, currently in use in Prince Georges County; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Bangor, Maine; Huntington, NY; Troy, AL; and Waterbury, CT. -City employees have requested a filter to help manage when multiple entries come in for the same address.

-Rental Registry: Legislation is still in the Law Department.

VII. City Council Update, Q&A (District 3’s Neil Manganaro) -Thank you to all those who volunteered for or participated in the Oakland Forever celebration.

-District 3 has a few interns from the University of Pittsburgh who have been walking around South Oakland and submitting code violations to 311. They have been charged, too, with involving their peers in civic engagement.

VIII. Oakland Property Progress Report (BBI Senior Inspector Brian Hill): -306 Ophelia, 3616 Parkview, and 3408 Parkview all coming up in Housing Court.

-244 Dunseith: Allegheny County Health Department cited for scattered debris and vacant, overgrown property. Oakwatch asked to ask Magistrate Ricciardi when the next Fine & Costs Hearing is. Update: Bench warrant was issued in August for Eli Wasserman’s arrest.

-Boulevard of the Allies bridge: Graffiti still on the abutment. Grant Gittlen recommends OPDC speak with City Public Art Commission Director Morton Brown about a potential mural.

-343 Lawn will be appealing November 18 before Judge Gallo.

-3421 Parkview, according to City Solicitor CJ Liss, has not yet exhausted its appeals.

-3374 Dawson: Inspector McPherson and Inspector Hill have visited this property in the last week and been unable to reach anyone.

-3431 Parkview changed windows recently, which may be a violation of its Historic designation.

-3101 Niagara also cited by the Allegheny County Health Department as a vacant, dilapidated building.

IX. Disruptive Property Statistics (Maria Bethel): Oakland submissions -None for September.

X. OPDC Updates, Q&A (Alicia Carberry): Good Neighbor Campaign, PLCB Grant -The Good Neighbor Campaign was successful in delivering over 1,200 welcome bags full of community information, alternative transportation options, 311 and 911 flyers, and trash/ recycling literature to Oakland residents. A huge thank you to the various volunteer who came out door-knocking with OPDC! -OPDC was awarded a two-year grant by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board last year, and has entered into the second year of the grant. The grant helps to fund administrative support for Oakwatch, messaging (currently OPDC has partnered with Mellinger’s Beer Distributors to pass out responsible drinking literature with keg purchases), initiatives like the Good Neighbor Campaign, and off-duty police walking patrols. The next off-duty police patrols will be Homecoming and Halloween weekends.

XI. Meeting Adjournment

Our next meeting will be the last of 2014: Wednesday, November 19th, 12pm at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, 234 McKee Place. Please RSVP so we know how many we will be.

Contact Oakwatch: oakwatch@opdc.org or 412.621.7863 ext. 27. Thanks for keeping us in the loop!

Community Announcements & Events: -Thursday, October 16 at 6pm: Oakland Green Team meeting at the Oakland Career Center.

-Friday, October 17, 7-9pm: Jazz Night at the Corner (200 Robinson Street) feat. Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame Inductee Roger Barbour and his Jazz Trio. $5 cover.

-Tuesday, October 21 at 2pm: Planning Commission hearing for The UPMC Institutional Master Plan.

200 Ross Street, in the first floor hearing room.

-Tuesday, October 21 and Tuesday, October 28, 6-8pm: Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC)’s free two-part workshop on the mechanics of effectively engaging City Council, feat. Council President Kraus and City Clerk Doheny.

City Council chambers: 5th floor of the City-County Building on 414 Grant Street.

To sign up, email: info@ctacpittsburgh.org or call (412) 231-2822.

-Thursday, October 23, 6:30pm: Forum on child abuse and domestic violence, current events and media, complete with a panel of professionals in the field at the Corner (200 Robinson Street). For information, call Nadine (412) 683-1400.

-Thursday, October 23, 10am: Housing Court, see attached flyer for details.

-Saturday, October 25 and Friday, October 31 from 11pm-1am: Citizen Observer Patrol. For more information or to sign up for a volunteer shift: (412) 621-7863 x27 -Sunday, October 26, 4:25pm: Free Steelers Game Party at the Corner! Call (412) 683-1400 to volunteer with set-up or grilling.

-Monday, October 27, 10am: Housing Court, see attached flyer for details.

-Wednesday, October 29 at 6pm: Public hearing on the City’s 2015 Capital Budget.

Morningside Senior Center, 6944 President Way, 15206.

-Wednesday, October 29 at 6:30pm: City-wide Public Safety Zone Council meeting featuring newlyhired Chief of Police Cameron McLay. VFW on 2864 Chartiers Avenue in Sheraden, 15204.

-Monday, November 3 and Tuesday, November 4, 6-7:30pm: Tenant Rights Information Sessions at the Pitt Union. Valuable information for successful off-campus living. Refreshments provided.