minutes-4-15-15

Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Meeting Minutes April 15, 2015 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: Zach Biden, Alicia Carberry, Steve Cetra, Patrick Corelli, Ken Eckenrode, Carlino Giampolo, Michele Gorman, Lizabeth Gray, Everett Green, Robert Harper, Nathan Hart, Daniel Herrmann, Shuning Huang, Guy Johnson, Bob Kelly, Robert Kollar, Blair Kossis, Shannon Leshen, Neil Manganaro, David Manthei, Michael Medwed, Mark Oleniacz, Mike Orlando, Kannu Sahni, Kathleen Sestili, John Tokarski, John Wilds.

II.

Law Enforcement in Oakland (Zone 4 Police Commander Daniel Herrmann) The Commander began by noting that Oakland’s Fight for 15 (raise the wage) rally he oversaw earlier in the evening went peacefully thanks to a strong collaboration among enforcement agencies.

A Niagara Street neighbor paid the police a compliment after noting many officers engaging positively with the public during the rally.

Commander Herrmann shared that has been with the Bureau of Police for 32 years, beginning in Zone 5 and moving through other zones over the years, leading to his promotion to Zone 4 Commander. He acknowledged wanting to establish a strong foundation with community groups like Oakwatch.

Blair Kossis asked what the approach for the start of the school year will be, when Oakland sees a notable uptick in parties.

Commander Herrmann answered that Zone 4 will continue a strong partnership with the University of Pittsburgh Police, assisting them with disbanding parties and following up with Knock-and-Talks. He also noted the designation of an additional Community Relations Officer for Zone 4.

How can the community help to enforce underage drinking and disruptive parties? Commander Herrmann echoed a previous suggestion to call the Zone 4 Station Supervisor at (412) 422-6520 if preparations for a disruption are noted in advance. The information will be passed along to those on evening patrols.

Commander Herrmann issued a letter delivered door-to-door letting Semple Street residents know that Zone 4 would be patrolling on the night rumored for SempleFest resurrection. These efforts, in collaboration with many other partners’, successfully prevented SempleFest.

A map of Zone 4 may be found online at: pittsburghpa.gov/police/zone4

III.

Oakland Police Partner Crime Reports: a. Pittsburgh Police, Zone 4 Community Relations Officer Shannon Leshen:

-Theft from businesses included GNC, Wine & Spirits, First National Bank, and the CVS on Centre Avenue.

-The most recent West Oakland shooting is part of an ongoing investigation, no new details.

-Another compliment forwarded to the police from a resident on Semple Street who appreciated the

advance warning of a possible SempleFest from the officer who came to her door. b. University of Pittsburgh Police, Officer Cetra: For the month of March: -2 arrests for criminal trespassing, neither affiliated with Pitt -2 arrests based on warrants, non-affiliated -8 arrests for drug violations, 7 of which were not affiliated -5 arrests DUI, none affiliated -2 arrests for terroristic threats, one affiliated/ one not -2 citations for harassment, neither affiliated -4 citations disorderly conduct, none affiliated -1 citation for open container, not affiliated -9 citations for panhandling, none affiliated -12 citations for public drunkenness, 11 of which were not affiliated -15 citations for underage drinking, all affiliated -2 citations for public urination, non-affiliated -11 additional students brought before the Judicial Board -Pitt Police have been monitoring cars not stopping at crosswalks -Paying lots of visits to parties *The Citizen Observer Patrol reported a relatively calm April 11-12 weekend.

IV.

University of Pittsburgh Student Government Board’s Summer Community Initiatives (Patrick Corelli, Governmental Relations Chair) The Student Government Board is looking to begin a Student Tenant Association for all students living offcampus in order to improve Oakland living in a unified way. Student-neighbor relations could be improved by knowing who lives where. The Association will provide advocacy for neighborhood cleanliness, housing issues, and tenants’ rights. They will support the proposed Rental Registry legislation and maintain relationships with not only community groups but also landlords.

Eventually, they will loop in Off-Campus Living in order to be as accessible as possible.

A Parkview neighbor asked if there will be outreach to other university’s students in the neighborhood. The focus will be on Pitt initially, but Student Government Board President Graeme Meyer does attend a monthly meeting with other student government boards in Pittsburgh.

Everett Green, also on the Student Government Board, acknowledged that demonizing any one group, namely, students, for bad behavior will not lead to progress. Working together on various issues will lead to progress.

V.

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Conference (University of Pittsburgh’s Dr. Wilds, Kannu Sahni) Thanks to Pitt’s Office of Community and Governmental Relations and OPDC, Oakland was well-represented at the Liquor Control Board’s annual alcohol education conference.

The conference theme was ‘Shaping Public Perception of Underage and Dangerous Drinking’. The community’s role in this regard is great and was expressed well by the recent response and ultimate prevention of SempleFest (OPDC calling on property owners to communicate firmly with tenants, Zone 4 knocking on doors, Pitt Police doing the same, and a neighbor-led Citizen Observer Patrol acting as extra eyes and ears).

In shaping public perception, the uses of heavy-handed words by media tend to isolate audiences. Wording aside, all stakeholders tend to have the same goal: vibrant, safe communities.

Some updates: -The University of Pittsburgh has taken the lead of the ten universities represented on the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) in focusing on sexual assault prevention, and the role alcohol plays in such.

-Planning to add more block parties to get neighbors interacting for this fall.

-Pitt applied for funding for Panther Track, an app to monitor drinking habits. Trials reported a 6% reduction in dangerous drinking.

-Pitt is working to train Resident Assistants more thoroughly on parking issues, littering, and overcrowding, in preparation to move off of campus. They have spoken with more than 3,000 students and their parents on community expectations.

-Pitt is focusing on more community policing surrounding education, engagement, and enforcement.

-A minimum of 12-credits are now required before pledging for Greek life.

-Whether on or off campus, University of Pittsburgh affiliates have the same responsibility in code of conduct.

Note: 98% of freshmen live on-campus.

VI.

City Council Update (District 3’s Neil Manganaro): -Earlier in the meeting, the difficulty of finding contact information for property owners when problems occur at their properties came up. Neil offered that a Rental Registry would remedy that by comprehensively housing contact information for owners.

-The biggest source of contention with the legislation is the $65 per unit registration fee. Changing this has been part of an ongoing conversation.

VII.

Trash in Oakland (Lizabeth Gray) -Lizabeth shared a video of trash cans stored uncovered, littered sidewalks, and street trash. She declared the state of trash in Oakland a public health hazard.

-Neil Manganaro, representing District 3, had the idea of Environmental Services performing Knock-and-Talk visits (in the fashion of University of Pittsburgh Police) to better inform tenants of laws (City Code 619) and best trash practices, including the law that trash must be covered when stored on property.

-The aforementioned Rental Registry legislation will contain a prerequisite of proper trash practices.

-An investment property owner suggested that the group provide engaged landlords with offending addresses for them to investigate.

-Another neighbor noted that due to density, there is not room on many properties to store two weeks’ worth of recycling.

VIII.

Litter Control (Carlino Giampolo) Carlino introduced the group to the SOUL (South Oakland Urban Litter) proposal he is presenting to the University of Pittsburgh. The anti-litter program seeks funding to employ ten youths for five hours a day, five days a week to pick up litter in Oakland.

Noted: the University of Pittsburgh currently funds the Keep it Clean Oakland! Program Manager position at Oakland Planning and Development Corporation.

Mr. Giampolo wants to meet with the University of Pittsburgh’s Chancellor Gallagher to ask what benefits the University’s students provide to the elderly long-time community.

IX.

Oakland Property Progress Report a. March’s report: The Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections of as unable to make it to the meeting.

b. Over occupancy: 343 Lawn’s appeal was upheld before Judge Gallo. 3616 Parkview will be heard before Judge Gallo on April 28 at 11am (Room 821 of the City County Building). c. City Solicitor replacement: CJ Liss has moved over to the Real Estate division. The new City Solicitor for Housing Court cases will be Jocelyn Banks. d. Neighborhood Walkabouts: Corridors of Bates, Semple, S. Bouquet, and Bigelow were identified by the group as priority areas for 311 submissions. Stay tuned!

X.

Disruptive Property Statistics (Maria Bethel, by proxy): Oakland submission breakdown -Maria was not able to attend but shared that there were no new submissions for the month of March.

-Commander Herrmann confirmed that he has access to the Disruptive Properties Database.

XI.

Community Announcements & Events: -For Greenfield Avenue Bridge Project information, visit greenfieldbridge.otmapgh.org -To volunteer for a Citizen Observer Patrol, email oakwatch@opdc.org or call (412) 621-7863 x27.

XII.

Meeting Adjournment.

Next meeting: Wednesday, May 20, 12pm at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh (234 McKee). RSVPs appreciated.

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