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.