Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Meeting Minutes July 15, 2015 12-1:30pm
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: Maria Bethel, Camille Burgess, Alicia Carberry, Pat Corelli, Stephanie Felton, Carlino Giampolo, Nasreen Harun, Guy Johnson, Hanson Kappelman, Sophia Koss, Blair Kossis, Shannon Leshen, David Manthei, Michael Medwed, Caroline Mitchell, Mark Oleniacz, Patrick Paul, Tom Pauley, Barbara Ruprecht, Kannu Sahni, Peg Sedlack, Kathleen Sestili, Elissa Shelton, Evelyn Stafford, Lara Sullivan, Michael Thompson, Wendy Urbanic, Steven Welles, John Wilds, Wanda Wilson.
II.
The Present and Future 311 (311 Manager Wendy Urbanic): Wendy Urbanic introduced the group to upcoming changes and challenges at the Mayor’s Non-Emergency Response Center. Changes already in place: -Expanded hours Monday through Friday 7am-7pm -Beginning stages of software upgrade (previous software was created in-house from late 1980’s) -Better capabilities and mapping features -Ability to create a customer account to easily track progress and receive updates -Automated response email following a submission -More expedited and transparent process -Department of Public Works and Animal Control are already integrated into new system While improvements are being made, the 311 team is working off of three separate databases. Coming by end of summer: -Ability to submit multiple pictures -Ability to run reports on specific violations -Data will be open API (uses technology to interact with other websites) -Next up for integration is the Police Bureau and Permits, Licenses, and Inspections -Eventual incorporation of organizations outside the city’s intranet, such as Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) and contractors Wendy shared how 311 handles PLI violations: an inspector is sent the notice within 3 days. The inspector determines ownership, and sends property maintenance notice to the owner, who is given 15-30 days to abate violations. Upon re-inspection, if violations are not abated, legal is filed, a court date is scheduled.
Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Meeting Minutes July 15, 2015 12-1:30pm
Noise complaint clarification: like any other events in progress, noise should be reported to 911. A South Oakland neighbor shared that Dawson Street needs to be paved, and that she has become disenchanted with 311. She receives a response but not results. Wendy responded that the city is hoping to expand number of streets being paved, but is operating on limited funds. DPW is coming up with a process to better prioritize paving. All submissions do get reported and evaluated. Another neighbor expressed frustration with trash practices, and asked if the International Property Maintenance code that states cans must be leakproof and provided with close-fitting covers (307.3.2) is being enforced. Wendy ended by expressing gratitude for citizen support with reporting to 311. As a reminder, there are many ways to report non-emergency issues to 311: -Tweet @PGH311 -Dial 311 -Text message (412) 573-9736 -Leave a voice message at (412) 573-9736 -Submit online at pittsburghpa.gov/311/form -TeleTYpewriter Line (412) 255-8647 III.
Oakland Police Partner Crime Reports: a. Pittsburgh Police, Zone 4 Community Resources Officers Shannon Leshen/ Tom Pauley 4 arrests: -Narcotics and paraphernalia -Narcotics and paraphernalia -Trespassing -Public drunkenness and disorderly conduct Of note: shooting on June 21, after 10pm on 3200 block of Dawson Victim stable; no arrests yet Trend: unlocked doors in correlation to Central Oakland burglaries. Of the 8 residential burglaries, this month, 6 were not forced entry. Resident concern: 3 incidents in last week of students binge drinking on Boundary Street Satisfied with response, but not result. Suggestion: Can the police ask “Is anyone here under 21?” when visiting disruptions. Response: It is happening, unsure of scope. Does Oakland have technology to locate gunshots’ origins? Zone 5 uses technology called ShotSpotter—Zone 4 is looking to do the same.
Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Meeting Minutes July 15, 2015 12-1:30pm
Zone 4 holds weekly intelligence report meetings to look for trends in shots reported. How do you know when to call 911 for noises that sound like gunshots? It is the Police’s job to sort out. Use your discretion in reporting to 311 or 911 for emergency versus nonemergency issues, but please always report it in some way. Zone 4 Non-Traffic Report:
Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Meeting Minutes July 15, 2015 12-1:30pm
b. University of Pittsburgh Police, Officers Guy Johnson/ Steve Cetra 72 incidents: 26 physical arrests and 21 citations. Of these incidents, 4 were affiliated with the University and 45 not, and 27 were on-campus and 44 off-campus: 2 aggravated assaults 2 criminal mischiefs 1 defiant trespass 5 disorderly conduct 4 marijuana violations 4 drug violations 7 DUI 2 false ID 6 panhandling 6 public drunkenness 2 simple assault 17 thefts 1 underage drinking 6 warrants
IV.
News from City Council (District 8’s Lara Sullivan): From Councilman Gilman’s office: Working to oppose House Bill 809, which seeks to overturn municipalities’ ability to restrict number of people living together, essentially legalizing over occupancy. The Councilman is submitting written testimony to House Local Government Committee, and collecting many opposition letters from constituents to pass along to committee members. City Council passed a will of council to submit to legislators across the state. Councilman Gilman is setting up a public hearing for Parking Authority resolution. The Parking Authority’s data will clearly show effectiveness of drive-by enforcement utilizing Automated License Plate Technology versus on-foot enforcement with handheld equipment.
V.
University of Pittsburgh Student Government Board Update (Pat Corelli and Nasreen Harun) Farmers’ Market will be held outside the William Pitt Union July 30 from 11:30a-2:30p. All of the Oakland community is welcomed. Student Tenants’ Association update: the SGB is working through paperwork for initial set up, and is working to select neighborhood student ambassadors.
Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Meeting Minutes July 15, 2015 12-1:30pm
VI.
Oakland Property Progress Report: First, from the Police: 3746 Dawson: No further disruptions reported following multiple Knock-and-Talks last month. 3374 Dawson: Checking on disruptive property status. PLI was unable to attend July’s meeting.
VII.
Disruptive Property Statistics (Maria Bethel): Disruptive Properties Administration 2013-2014 Report is now up online at: apps.pittsburghpa.gov/dps/2013-2014Disruptive_Property_Administration_(2).pdf Working with the Mayor’s office to get new board members on Disruptive Properties Appeals Board. Part of community outreach in the Department of Public Safety’s SaferTogether programming: collaborating with the University of Pittsburgh for Ready Freddy kindergarten-readiness parent workshops. Comprehensively, Public Safety is also looking to partner with the Housing Authority for child abuse prevention and juvenile delinquency programming.
VIII.
Keep it Clean Oakland! Manager Introduction (Elissa Shelton): The Oakland Dumpster Project will put dumpsters at 7 locations throughout Oakland from August 14 to August 28. Elissa will be monitoring the dumpsters to make sure overflow does not happen. If residents see anyone using the dumpsters for debris not associated with student move-in, please note license plate number and call 911. This is a crime classified as theft of service. In tandem with this effort to keep Oakland clean during move-in time, OPDC is partnering with Pennsylvania Resources Council, PittServes, and the Colcom Foundation to host Recycling and Reuse Collection event in the UPMC lot on Atwood Street on August 15. Flyer here: www.opdc.org/event/oakland-recycling-and-reuse-collection-event/ An idea for future recycling events: have a paper collection, also, for shredding. Elissa established herself as the Adopt-a-Block go-to person. If you see something that needs to be cleaned up, contact Elissa at kico@opdc.org or 412.621.7863 x24 The intersection of Bates Street at Bouquet Street was immediately mentioned as an area with a lot of trash. Is there an impetus for waste haulers to remove electronic waste from dumpsters? Perhaps signage on dumpsters that e-waste is not allowed could be helpful.
Oakwatch: The Oakland Code Enforcement Project Meeting Minutes July 15, 2015 12-1:30pm
Community Announcements & Events: -Thursday, July 16, 6pm at the Jewish Community Center: Zone 4 Public Safety Council meeting. -Thursday, July 30, 6pm at the Oakland Career Center: Oakland Green Team meeting. -The Civic Leadership Academy is accepting applications through July 31: pittsburghpa.gov/servepgh/cla/ Contact Sally Stadelman (412)255-4773 or sally.stadelman@pittsburghpa.gov -National Night Out is Tuesday, August 4. Visit pittsburghpa.gov/publicsafety/nno/ -South Oakland Community Day is planned for Saturday, August 29. Visit SouthOaklandPgh.org/SOCD -For Greenfield Avenue Bridge Project information, visit greenfieldbridge.otmapgh.org -Sign up for a volunteer shift with the Citizen Observer Patrol by calling (412) 621-7863 x27. -University of Pittsburgh Block party dates are scheduled for: Tuesday, September 8: North Oakland, at 234 N. Dithridge Street Wednesday, September 9: South Oakland, Tuesday, September 22: Oakland Square, in the Square Wednesday, September 30: Central Oakland, the Oakland Career Center Email cgrinfo@pitt.edu for more information IX.
Meeting Adjournment. Thank you to the Jewish Federation for hosting us and to Wendy Urbanic for speaking! Next meeting: Wednesday, August 19, 6pm at the Oakland Career Center (294 Semple Street). Contact Oakwatch: oakwatch@opdc.org or 412.621.7863 ext. 27. Thanks for keeping us in the loop!