Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Minutes February 17, 2016 Chairperson Kappelman brought the meeting to order, read Oakwatch mission, and facilitated introductions. Present: Lizabeth Gray, Hanson Kappelman, Rebekkah Ranallo, Janice Lorenz, Dan Herrmann, Bob Kollar, Julie Reiland, Jack Heideker, Neil Manganaro, Corey DeRico, Tanika DeRico, Barbara Ruprecht, Wanda Wilson, Tom Pauley, David Shifren, Kevin Wilson, Mark Oleniacz, Michael Medwed, Kannu Sahni, Alicia Carberry, David Manthei, Guy Johnson, Lawrence Robinson Presentations Corey DeRico, PLI Fire Inspection Supervisor, presented the new fire prevention maintenance program at PLI. There are three fire inspectors, each responsible for one-third of the city to inspect all commercial properties. It is a free program to keep facilities safer and protect fire fighters. Contact PLI to inquire about a property’s fire protection inspection status; they will send out an inspector. Business owners will be asked to contact a third party agency to confirm their . 2003 international fire code Q: how would someone know if an inspection has been done? A: Call PLI, they can look it up by address. Q: commercial only? A: yes. Apartment buildings are considered commercial. More than two units are considered commercial apartment building. Q: Are condos and coops considered commercial? A: I can ask. Q: Will you be checking for maximum occupancy? A: the inspection will check the occupancy. The fire chief does the assembly occupancy. 50 and above must be posted. Q: Are you aware that the Quality Inn on Boulevard of the Allies has no permits? A: PLI welcomes tips. Will give property owners opportunity to make the necessary corrections to come into compliance. Q: If someone has a concern, would they file through 311? A: yes, tied into the VET system. Or call directly. Q: VET system? A: all parts of PLI – centralized computer data “violation enforcement table.” Created by Director Kennedy. Lawrence Robinson, Allegheny County Health Department, provided information about Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Rental Properties. Buildings with more than two units are required to have carbon monoxide detectors. Tenants are required to replace the batteries. Need to have on all levels of house including the basement. The state has put responsibility to replace them on the tenants. State Department of Labor and Industry regulates this. County will rewrite the county law. New houses are required to have them. Section 661 – dwelling required to have equipment and maintain it. The code is basic. The Health department has a healthy homes program; they will provide CO detectors. There is a waiting list; aimed for low-income or those with another health issue. 60 days from an inspection before the health department would consider a fine, as they give owners all opportunity to correct the infraction. Q: electric stove? A: gas stove, gas furnace. Errors with installation can cause dangerous conditions. Q: is radon included? A: no, the health department no longer has a radon program. Because it is part of real estate transaction process. Not an immediate threat.
Community Roundtable HKappelman facilitated a conversation for residents regarding a process for reporting issues in the community to remind residents to submit issues to both 311 and Oakwatch. H cited a recent example with block of structures on Bates at Boulevard and Zulema - reminder that Oakwatch exists to address such issues. In addition to 311, let Oakwatch know so that there is backup and additional awareness. Those more severe issues, we will put on the property progress report to indicate the priority for enforcement partners to address. DManthei: that stretch of buildings really needs to be secured. Pay attention to concerns in the neighborhood and contact Oakwatch. We will follow up to address the priorities identified by community residents. St Patrick’s Day is a traditional time period of disruptive behavior. Oakwatch is recruiting volunteers for citizens’ observer patrol. 11 pm – 1am March 17 – 19. More eyes and ears on the streets and reduce burden on residents/eliminate retaliation. Let Oakwatch know if you are willing to participate. Not limited to residents. BRuprecht: judicial office will be proactive around that time. The more we can do to get the message out that socializing is fine, but not acceptable to have a disruptive party. Property Progress Report JReilland gave an update on rental registry ordinance implementation. PLI is currently writing regulations with the Law Department about how it will roll out. They are anticipating a fall roll out. More information to come. 3707-3709 Orpwood. A parking pad installed without proper permits – third PLI notice. There is a zoning notice posted of Administrator Exception. Special exception requires hearing; Administrator Exception does not. Interested parties can appeal the Administrator Exception by contacting the zoning office at Department of City Planning. PLI will move forward with court papers in the event that the process does not resolve issues. 3401 – 3421 Bates – vacant houses not secured, trash, debris. Inspector did file citations. Called one of the owners. First notice. 3101 Niagara – going to magistrate 3616 Parkview – hearing in April 343 Lawn – awaiting decision on appellate court 3421 Parkview – return inspection scheduled 244 Dunseith – court date 2/25, 9 AM 3224 Blvd of Allies – boarded on 2/1, under notice sidewalks, walls. 3221 Kennett Square – court 3/3
Q: experience with tenants not wanting to grant access for fear of eviction/loss of security deposit? A: this is a common misconception . Tenants cannot be evicted because of granting access to inspectors. Can be evicted for not paying rent. We can do better at getting word out that it is the tenant’s right to grant inspections. Get the word out there. The group discussed legality of rent if an occupant is not on the lease. Student Government Board JHeidecker reported that SGB is conducting an internal survey about off campus living. Questions include services students would like, concerns they have, etc. There is an SGB election in March. New faces in April. No update on student-resident association. Pitt Police January report 140 incidents. 16 arrests, 85 citations, 73 affilliated; 76 on-campus, 64 off-campus. 1 aggravated assault 2 defined trespass 3 disorderly conduct 6 marijuana 5 drug violation 1 dui 1 endangering minor 2 false id 2 harrassment 4 open container 3 panhandling 7 public drunkenness 4 public urination 1 theft 21 citations for underage drinking. 19 affiliated. J board filed for all citations listed above.
35 separate j board charges outside of these incidents above. Impact detail: 13 parties, 2 on-campus; 11 off-campus Pitt Police citations are now lined up with the City of Pittsburgh disruptive property ordinance and can turn them in to Maria Bethel. Zone 4 Police Report 1/8 Centre/Craig Chiefs. Warrant suspect. Cocaine arrest. 1/9 stolen vehicle. Lothrop/Victoria 13 days later a patrol in Oak Hill found and made arrest 1/10 arm robbery Atwood/Cable Place. Shots fired. Bb gun. Struck victim. Vehicle spotted, pursued arrested in Oak Hill (on news). 1/15 16:40 hours. Hotmetal/Second Ave. traffic stop. Bench warrants. 1/17 2;30 am. Aggravated assault. Dawson St. sexual assault. Arrest made. Domestic dui forbes/mcdevitt. 1/19 22:42. Dui Bates/Second. Robbery burglary 1/20 3200 Juliet. Home invasion. Drug paraphernalia on site. A known actor. Seven arrests resulted from investigation. Centre Ave CBS retail theft. Arrested 1/21 12:45 Forbes forgery fake prescription. Arrested Marijuana 1/21 2105 Forbes/Craft. Uptown, pulled over in Oakland 209 Atwood Rite Aid. Theft. 1/28 0035 Oakland Avenue. Assault. Arrest Paraphernalia 1/29 1330 Fifth/Deraud. Arrest Hampton Inn robbery. 1/24 1956 hours. Handgun. Ongoing investigation. Citations 1-1-16: Meyran and Forbes Ave. 4 citations/2 actors. 601.12 Interference with Official Duties and 5503 Disorderly Conduct 1-6-16: 4611 Centre Ave. 5505-Public drunkenness.
1-9-16: 3746 Dawson. 3 citations/1actor. 3304 Criminal mischief, 5503 Disorderly conduct, 6308 Underage drinking. 1-15-16: 3414 Ward Street. 4 citations/4 individuals. 601.04 Loud music. 1-18-16: S Bouquet and Roberto Clemente Road. 6 citations/3 individuals. 6308 Underage drinking. 3543 Pedestrians crossing not in crosswalks. 1-29-16: 223 Atwood. 4 citations/1 individual. 3304 Criminal mischief. 5505 Public drunknesses. 601.08 Alcohol consumption on streets. 6501 Scattering rubbish. Graffiti arrest “Gems.” “PTK.” Gonzalez arrest. Hearing schedule. Postponed to 3/2. Traffic enforcement: Forbes from Craft to Beeler. Fifth from Moorewood to Craft. January speed timing study on Beeler. 91 traffic citations. Trying to work this area for traffic safety. The group thanked the commander and his officers for the increased traffic enforcement. Delivery trucks in right lane of Forbes during rush hour a big issue. Q: reflect on decriminalization of marijuana and how it affects your job? A: not come to the officers yet. Still a violation of state law. Often reduced at court. Have to go through process; alert actor that if a second violation, would be more an issue. City ordinance gives police officers more options. Q: announce weekly email reports. A: yes, email snapshot is helpful. Public information. Q: possible to just see Oakland? A: will leave it for the full zone and residents can utilize it as it is. Saturday Schenley Plaza protest re: Asian police officer in New York City. Friday 2/26, demonstration United Students Against Sweat Shops local 31. SEIU, Steelworkers. A march is planned. Do not have permit for Bigelow; likely will disrupt traffic. Will coordinate with Pitt. Zone 4 Public Safety Council. Working to have resident leadership in the council. Looking for people to step up. Citywide public safety 4/23 Lawrenceville Teamsters Temple. 2/27 AM rally bigelow. Bernie sanders. Bigelow to fifth to market square . permit. Peaceful. Election year. News from Pittsburgh City Council District 3 – Q: update RPPP enforcement? A: Not in place yet. Longer term process. Website update. District 8 – Report on the N. Dithridge sweep: 25 violations abated, 2 going to court, not scheduled yet. Will share more details as we have them.
Announcements
Oakland Green Team monthly meeting Thursday, Feb 18, 6pm, Oakland Career Center Zone 4 Public Safety Meeting Thursday, Feb 18, 6pm, Jewish Community Center, 5738 Forbes Ave Uptown/West Oakland EcoInnovation District Launch Party Thursday, Feb 25th, 300 Gist Street, 6-9pm. See flyer for details. OPDC is currently accepting applicants from West Oakland residents for Residential Façade Improvement Grants. See flyer for details. OPDC’s JobLinks program is now offering free tax preparation assistance by appointments on Wednesdays. See flyer for details. South Oakland Open Houses: Thursday March 3rd, 4pm-6:30pm; Sunday, March 6th, 1pm3:30pm. 3329 Juliet Street and 3238 Ward Street. Visit opdc.org for details on each house.
Next meeting: Wednesday, March 16th, noon – 1:30 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh (234 McKee). Please RSVP; no outside food/drink, no backpacks/briefcases.