Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Minutes December 21, 2016 PRESENT: Officer Tom Pauley, Officer David Shifren, Officer Steve Cetra, Ernest Rajakone, Michael Medwed, John Wilds, Bob Kollar, Rebekkah Ranallo, Kannu Sahni, Julie Reiland, Joan Dickerson, Cassandra Williams, Commander Daniel Herrmann, Alicia Carberry, Sophia Koss, Hanson Kappelman, Janice, Elena Zaitsoff , Allison Jones, David Manthei, Mark Oleniacz, Geof Becker, Wanda Wilson, Lizabeth Gray, Neil Manganaro Introduction Hanson Kappelman brought the meeting to order. The Oakwatch mission was reviewed. Bob Kollar was introduced as the new co chair. Many people acknowledged Hanson’s service to Oakwatch and wished him well on his future travels. OAKLAND POLICE PARTNER CRIME REPORTS Pittsburgh Police Low numbers on non-traffic violations in November 2016 11/1 (11:15pm) Trespass at the Carnegie Museum 11/5 (10:15pm) Public urination at Louisa and Atwood 11/12 (11:43pm) Disorderly tenant at 200 Dunseith 11/26 Loud party at 3300 Ward. ID’d underage drinkers. Tenant was contacted. Beer cans on lawn, cited for loud party, while speaking there were signs of intoxication. Six people at the house identified as residents. Follow up with PLI (Dep’t of Licenses Permits and Inspections) on over occupancy. Update on break-ins: stolen car led to the perpetrator and one stolen X box Update to Oakcliffe laundry fire: no response to video capture image yet. Commander is surprised; still under investigation. No nibbles. May be shown again on news. Thank you for the continual crime snapshot emails. They are very helpful. Scott Schubert, acting chief of police, will attend the Zone Four Public Safety Council Meeting on Thursday January 19 6-8pm at the Jewish Community Center’s Katz Theater, 5738 Darlington Road, Squirrel Hill. Lite refreshments will be served. University of Pittsburgh police Nothing to report at this time. City of Pgh Permits, Licenses and Inspections Julianne Reiland gave updates on the target property report.
Monthly community forum will be held at 200 Ross St, Downtown; 30 minutes for the topic and 30 minutes for Q&A. January 11, scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month going forward, at 9am. Education on processes. Please rsvp online and respond to survey asking for tips on topics. Video of the forum is available at city channel and YouTube. Capacity of venue is for 70 people. Topic for January may be enforcement Joan Dickerson: Are you fully staffed? On operations side, yes. Construction side includes HVAC and new permits. Department is about 20% understaffed in total. Hiring 3 more plans examiners hopefully will reduce the wait time. Takes a year for a plans examiner to be fully certified. Hiring 3 more to reduce permit wait times. There have been reduced wait times for debris and weeds. Hanson Kappelman: Are you considering Quality of Life ticketing? It’s been mentioned but no movement. Julie: We are interested but need to hear if this is a priority from the community. NUSIANCE PROPERTY REPORT Not in attendance. ALLEGHENY COUNTY HEALTH DEPT. 1. Our office is responding to lead poisoned children with levels as low as 9 in the venous blood draw. 2. Our health dept has officially applied to be nationally accredited 3. Pittsburgh athletic assn 4215 fifth ave was fined a 3rd time for violations at the pool. Mayor’s Office Report Ernest Rajakone: Snow Angels application still open—if you know a senior in need of snow shoveling, or can volunteer to help shovel, please register on the website. Love Your Block applications due January 6. No update on rental registration due to litigation in Court of Common Pleas. Two other procedural cases they are waiting on for precedent. He will get this case info to Liz. (solicitor and case number). Stay on registration, can’t enforce until case is heard. Manganaro – South Side also very concerned about this issue- whole city waiting on this and Oakland has led the charge. Keep collaborating with other neighborhoods to show issue is important for city. City Council Reports Alicia Carberry: City passed operating budget and sidewalk obstruction legislation. Vote next week on signs location. S Craig streetscapes study – end of February design, studio helping to lead public meeting Cassandra Williams: Affordable Housing Fund passed unanimously. Challenge now is funding it. Neil Manganaro: Southwatch modeled after Oakwatch for the South Side starting up in February 2017 COMMUNITY QUESTIONS Michael Medwed: Center line missing on street at Halket between Forbes and Fifth. Euler Way at Atwood, white truck parked there. Not tagged. Officer will be doing 311, many to go through. Changes to Oakwatch meeting schedule going forward.
The January 2017 first meeting will be held in the evening, 6 p.m., at the Oakland Career Center. The following meeting will be a noon meeting at a location to be determined—noon meetings no longer at Jewish Federation, will change every month to make Oakwatch accessible to all Oakland neighbors. Members asked to adjust their calendars to new schedule.