Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Minutes April 20, 2016 Present: Hanson Kappelman, Michael Medwed, Officer Johnson, Kannu Sahni, Blair Kossis, Wanda Wilson, Rebekkah Ranallo, Elena Zaitsoff, Neil Manganaro, David Manthei, Mark Oleniacz, Corey Buckner, Liz Gray, Matt Landy, Lawrence Robinson, Officer Steve Cetra, Marjory Lake, Nicholas Fisher, Arlind Karpuz, Ethel Deiuliis, Caroline Mitchell, Millie Sass, Camille Burgess, Robert Harper, Therese VanArsdale Mr. Kappelman read mission, introduced new co-chair, Elena Zaitsoff, and led introductions. Corey Buckner, Mayor’s Office Update Announcements include moratorium on appeals of property values. This will assist low-income residents. Those who have received letters from the city can ignore them. Street cleaning begins this month. Innovation and Performance Department is seeking feedback on the website. The new app, MyBurgh, is a way to submit 311 items. It has a snow plow tracker and notices from departments. The Affordable Housing Task Force recommendations are on the website. Corey sent information out to community leaders about marathon street closures. Summer Learn and Earn applications are open now. URA is hosting meetings on vacant land use, April 25 6:00 pm at Hill House Association; April 27 at the Pittsburgh Project. Q: why need such a big time slot for street cleaning? Other cities have two hour windows for the parking prohibition for cleaning. What about having cameras on vehicles to do parking enforcement rather than the parking enforcement having to take place in sight of the street cleaning vehicle? City Council District 3 Update RPPP recertification of Districts B, D, and M. Mr. Manganaro received an email from Ashley Holloway, City Planning Department staff for the RPPP. In the winter, a meeting was held. Residents expressed desire to increase hours to midnight. The second survey is complete for area B. B District analysis will be complete and submitted to City Council this month. M and D are not as far along. For area D, September. Area M, September. On hold given that the low-return of surveys to get enough responses to make it valid. This is the planner’s discretion that a larger amount of surveys is needed. Q: first round of surveys did not include a question about reducing grace period to 30 minutes. Mr. Holloway states that the change will include the 30 minute grace period change. There was only one survey so far for Area D and M. District 3 is discussing ways to improve this process because it is very labor intensive. Lawrence Robinson, Allegheny County Health Department 3101 Niagara: Mr. Slomnicki’s sister contacted Mr. Robinson. Health Department has determined it is not under their purview because it is abandoned, blighted.
Solick: needs a social worker. City should go after activities that require a building permit. 244 Dunseith: blighted house. No Health Department purview because vacant. Oakland Gateway site at Bates/Zulema/Boulevard of Allies: first floors are secure. Other items: 3224 Boulevard of the Allies, back of the building is not secure. People are accessing the property. Not health department because it is not a health hazard, just public safety generally. Bed bug issue at 431 Atwood Street, 20 people living there. Will be treating sewers for mosquitos in June. Packets of hormones that prohibit larvae from growing wings. Will look into the issue of water collecting on the roof of Islamic Center. Pitt Police
March report
22 arrests 67 citations 3 aggravated assault arrests Disorderly conduct: 6 marijuana 6 drug violations 8 DUI 8 harrassment; 2 citations 5 citations for noise control 4 open containers 1 panhandling 5 public drunkenness citations 4 public urination 1 resisting arrest (bicycle) 12 underage drinking citations 2 warrant arrests 23 J board citations – marijuana and alcohol Impact detail active: 47 parties. Shut down 30 parties. Warned 17 loud noise. 1 knock and talk. Have not heard anything on any attempts to organize Semple Fest. Q: based on Joe Biden visit, 25% of women experience sexual assault. Pitt is taking the It’s on Us campaign very seriously. How do we explain the under reporting of sexual assault? Reports do not reflect these statistics. A: Pitt’s for Safety Sake report includes the sexual assault incidents. Pitt sends alerts via social media when a sexual assault has been committed. Q: did you do knock and talks? A: One in March because the impact is talking to them when shutting parties down. Q: traffic management for move-out? A: Lothrop closed; impact meters on in front of Forbes Hall, Ruskin, garages and lots.
Pitt commencement is on the same day as the Pittsburgh Marathon, May 1. Q: burglaries? Would be on the city report. Ms. Gray provided Zone 4 crime report. See attached document.
Property Progress Report 433 Atwood – late night gathering. OPDC met with the owner, who seems responsive to these concerns. Waiting to see if conditions improve based on these assurances. Q: does the owner have an outdoor café permit for tables on the sidewalk? 3101 Niagara: failed to appear, fined, arrest warrant issued. 3616 Parkview: appeal hearing, continuance until June. If brought to code, case will be dismissed. 3421 Parkview: failed to appear at court, fined. 244 Dunseith: fined, failed to appear, arrest warrant issued. 3224 Boulevard of the Allies: 3221 Kennett Square: continuance. 3707-09 Orpwood: zoning board in June 3401 – 3421 Bates: ongoing issue. Q: will there be electronics recycling for student move-out? No, not this spring. Pitt Serves is running a collection event called Clutter for a Cause where students can donate household goods and various items which will be donated to various agencies such as Goodwill. Q: numerous phone books scattered throughout the neighborhood is an issue. Student Government Board Sexual assault is a big initiative – working with a variety of partners and student groups to raise awareness about prevention and available resources. Other items/Announcements Q: Frazier Street playground is being dismantled. A: This is a planned improvement by the Department of Public Works. The group viewed a video of graffiti remediation -- before and after pictures. Video is online at opdc.org/oakwatch. Please continue to report graffiti to 311 and also to Oakwatch.