►
From YouTube: Pittsburgh City Council Public Hearing - 11/23/22
Description
Tax, Budget, & Citizen Participation
A
A
B
B
Bill
952
ordinance
amending
the
Pittsburgh
code,
Title
II,
fiscal
Article,
5,
special
funds,
chapter
237
Stop,
the
Violence
fund,
237.03
uses
and
restrictions
of
the
Stop,
the
Violence
fund,
by
changing
the
annual
percentage
budgeted
for
outside
Community
Based
non-governmental
organizations,
Bill
953
resolution
authorizing
Appropriations
and
salaries
of
the
Stop,
the
Violence
fund
for
the
2023
fiscal
year,
beginning
January,
1
2023
in
Bill
954
resolution
authorizing
Appropriations
salaries
and
capital
expenditures
of
the
Park's
trust
fund
for
the
2023
fiscal
year,
beginning
January,
1
2023..
Thank.
A
You
thank
you
very
much
for
the
record.
We
are
joined
by
councilman
strasberger,
councilman
Wilson,
as
well
as
online
councilwoman
gross
as
well
as
president
Smith.
We
will
now
move
on
to
testimony
from
our
registered
speakers.
Please
give
your
name
and
address,
for
the
public
record
each
registered
speaker
will
give
in
will
be
given
three
minutes
to
address
city
council.
Our
first
registered
speaker
is
Colleen
Young.
A
C
City,
council,
members
and
staff,
my
name
is
Colleen
Young
I'm,
a
resident
of
District
Five
and
the
director
of
government
Affairs
at
the
Greater
Pittsburgh
Community
Food
Bank
I'm
here
today,
to
both
celebrate
the
inclusion
of
the
three
million
dollars
to
seed
the
food
Justice
fund.
That
will
begin
to
address
medium
and
long-term
investments
in
our
local
food
system
and
to
explain
the
difference
between
these
funds
and
the
critical
Community
Development
block
grant
funding
that
the
food
bank
receives
annually
to
support
our
neighbors
with
immediate
food
assistance.
C
Both
of
these
Investments
are
essential
to
reducing
hunger
in
our
city
and
one
does
not
supplant
the
other.
The
food
bank
will
not
be
receiving
any
dollars
from
the
food
Justice
fund.
We
support
its
passing
because
of
the
clear
alignment
with
our
mission
to
leverage
the
power
of
community
to
achieve
lasting
solutions
to
hunger
and
its
root
causes.
C
Similarly,
we
are
the
Fiscal
Agent
for
the
cdbg
grant.
Every
dollar
is
passed
along
to
our
partners,
who
are
serving
communities
with
highest
rates
of
food
insecurity.
This
allows
our
partners,
including
food
pantries,
soup
kitchens,
backpack
programs
and
churches
to
obtain
food
from
the
food
bank
at
no
cost.
One
of
our
partner
pantries
from
Northview
Heights
Family
Center,
will
speak
today
about
the
impact
These
funds
have
in
their
community
and
several
others,
such
as
the
Jubilee
soup,
kitchen
and
Community
Human
Services
intend
to
share
some
testimony
in
writing.
C
For
the
2021-2022
fiscal
year,
the
food
bank
supported
nearly
60
partners
with
no
cost
food,
including
fresh
frozen
and
shelf
stable
items
to
distribute
in
their
communities
total
grant
funding
was
just
over
a
hundred
thousand
dollars
a
small
but
essential
part
of
the
overall
City
budget.
During
the
covid-19
pandemic.
The
food
bank
also
received
two
rounds
of
supplemental
Aid,
which
have
been
critical
in
supporting
the
increased
demand
for
immediate
food
assistance.
C
Indeed,
Rising
costs
of
food
and
other
living
expenses
continue
to
keep
demand.
High.
Yesterday
alone,
the
food
bank
had
193
people
come
to
our
on-site
food
pantry
for
assistance.
That
is
more
than
double
the
average
from
the
previous
month
and
more
than
four
times
the
number
from
pre-covered
levels,
one
in
five
pittsburghers
experiences,
food
insecurity,
and
we
know
that
number
increases
in
times
of
Crisis
and
inflation.
C
The
Greater
Pittsburgh
Community
Food
Bank,
is
committed
to
collaborating
with
our
partners
across
the
city
to
build
a
just
and
Equitable
food
system.
For
all,
thank
you
for
continuing
to
reduce
hunger
in
our
city
through
cdbg
investments
in
food
security
and
for
seeding
new
investments
in
the
food
Justice
fund
to
expand
the
city's
capacity
and
infrastructure
in
long-term
Solutions.
Thank
you
very
much.
D
Hello
good
morning
my
name
is
Faye
parfill
I
work
at
the
Murphy
Heights
Family
Support
Center,
where
we
have
a
food,
pantry
and
I
would
just
like
to
start
off
with
Thanksgiving
and
everybody
I'm,
starting
by
giving
thanks
for
all
that
has
been
provided
and
I
hope
to
continue
to
provide
for
our
communities.
We
service
on,
like
an
average
of
seven
to
ten
families,
weekly
that
will
be
inclusive
of
single
senior
households,
two
households
of
up
to
11
persons.
D
During
the
month
of
November,
we
had
a
jump
to
10
to
15
families
per
week
due
to
the
holiday
Northview
Heights.
The
panty
is
very
essential,
and
here
is
that
it
supplements
families,
especially
between
shopping.
You
know
when
families
need
their,
you
know
shop
and
stuff
like
that,
they
tend
to
run
low
and
they
come
over.
So
it's
a
very
good
support
beer.
Also,
it's
an
inconvenience
for
families
up
here
to
get
to
lesser
expensive
places
such
as
Walmart.
E
Fortunately,
arpa
provided
each
and
every
local
government,
with
the
resources,
flexible
resources
to
address
the
multitude
of
complexities
prompted
by
the
pandemic.
Now,
as
per
the
department
of
treasury's
guidance
for
the
coronavirus
state
and
local
fiscal
Recovery
Fund,
the
fund
is
intended
to
quote,
provide
a
substantial
infusion
of
resources
to
help
turn
the
tide
on
the
pandemic,
address
its
economic
Fallout
and
lay
the
foundation
for
a
strong
and
Equitable
recovery.
E
End
quote
the
coronavirus
state
and
local
fiscal
Recovery
Fund
aims
to
ensure
the
impacts
of
kova
19
are
fully
addressed
and
that
local
governments
and
residents
are
engaged
in
meaningful,
authentic
dialogue
via
a
transparent
and
accessible
process
to
secure
broad
Public,
Health
improvements
and
Equitable
economic
recovery
and
I
hope.
This
is
the
path
that
we
are
on
and
I
hope
that
we
have
the
information
that
we
need
to
deliver
on
the
intent
of
these
funds.
E
The
fund's
final
rule
states
that
arpa
can
be
used
specifically
for
Community
engagement
and
Outreach
programs,
meaning
that
it
would
be
welcomed
to
use
these
funds
to
engage
everyone
and
now
I'm,
not
here
to
criticize
I
come
here
with
ideas.
I
propose
walking
in
the
footsteps
of
others
that
have
taken
the
lead
on
community
engagement
through
an
open
and
transparent
process.
Now
our
city
is
blessed
with
many
nonprofits
and
Community
groups
that
could
put
help
put
together,
one
of
the
best
community
engagement
campaigns
that
our
country
has
ever
seen.
E
Local
governments
have,
until
the
end
of
2024,
to
decide
how
to
use
these
allocations
and,
as
we
determine
how
to
best
utilize,
this
unprecedented
allocation
of
Direct
Federal
funding.
It's
critical
that
community
members
are
welcomed
into
the
decision-making
process.
A
community
that
works
together
for
a
healthier,
more
Equitable
and
prosperous
future
will
be
better
prepared
for
dealing
with
the
next
issue
that
impacts
Public
Health.
Let's
work
together,
leverage
our
Region's
nonprofits
develop
strong
Partnerships
for
a
recovery
that
will
last
equitably
for
all.
Thank
you.
F
Good
morning
everybody
hope
you're
doing
well.
My
name
is
Joanna
Deming
I'm,
the
executive
director
for
fine
view
and
Perry
Hilltop
citizens,
councils
and
I
appreciate
the
opportunity
see.
I
was
just
reflecting
on
how
for
myself
and
my
neighbors
living
next
to
vacant
and
blighted
buildings
is
normal.
F
F
Please
make
sure,
there's
a
source
of
funds
for
the
food
Justice
work
that
doesn't
take
away
from
affordable
housing,
but
instead
takes
away
from
from
other
projects
that
could
be
funded
through
other
federal
funds.
Those
are
my
final
comments.
I
wish
you
the
best
in
this
process,
and
thank
you
for
all
that
you
do.
G
Good
morning,
it's
a
pleasure
to
be
with
you
all
today.
My
name
is
Darius
Wallace
I'm,
a
constituent
of
District
six
and
a
Child
Nutrition
Outreach
coordinator
at
the
Greater
Pittsburgh
Community
Food
Bank,
the
Community
Development
Brock
Grant
fund
has
been
instrumental
in
helping
the
Greater
Pittsburgh
Community
Food
Bank
and
its
Community
Partners
provide
Equitable
access
to
nutritious
foods
for
low-income
families
in
our
city
and
region.
G
One
in
six
children
are
experiencing
food
insecurity,
with
high
inflation
and
with
high
inflation
in
our
grocery
stores
and
electricity
bills,
increasing
the
number
of
families
and
children
who
will
experience
food
insecurity
and
need
food
assistance
will
increase.
These
hardships
have
not
only
affected
families
and
children.
We
serve
but
has
impacted
the
capacity
of
convenient
organizations.
It
has
become
increasingly
difficult
to
properly
feed
children
in
need.
G
Given
our
current
economic
climate,
thanks
to
the
food
bank,
it's
Community
Partners
and
the
CDG
cdbg
fund
from
city
council,
children
experiencing
hunger
are
able
to
have
Equitable
access
to
nutritious
Foods
across
the
city
of
Pittsburgh.
Food
Bank
Partners
benefit
from
cdbg
funds
by
being
able
to
provide
nutritious
foods
from
the
food
bank
at
no
cost
to
their
operation
budget.
G
Our
Child
Nutrition
Partners
provide
services
to
children
in
the
form
of
daily
snacks
suppers
and
weekend
meals.
These
Services
provide
Assurance
relief
and
contentment
in
the
lives
of
children
who
may
not
know
where
their
next
meal
will
come
from.
If
these
Services
did
not
exist,
it's
imperative
that
city
council
continues
to
provide
These
cdbg
funds
to
the
Greater
Pittsburgh
Community
Food
Bank.
Numerous
children
within
the
city
of
Pittsburgh
rely
on
these
funds
to
receive
their
daily
meals
as
City
council's
responsibilities.
G
A
H
Good
morning
my
name
is
Lisa:
Freeman
I
live
in
Manchester,
21st,
ward
of
Pittsburgh
I'm
representing
Freeman
Family,
Farm
and
Greenhouse
I
want
to
thank
the
council
for
considering
us
for
the
three
million
dollar
food
and
food
Justice
fund,
and
also
I'd
like
to
thank
the
Greater
Pittsburgh
Community
Food
Bank.
Just
this
last
week
we
served
over
110
residents
in
in
Manchester
with
free
turkeys
in
the
sides.
This
past
year
we're
nearing
almost
400
families.
We
make
sure
our
families
in
the
north
side,
specifically
Manchester
or
World,
taken
care
of
on
my
own.
H
The
farm
has
the
farm.
That
would
be
me.
We
consider
what
we
do
for
the
the
elderly,
the
medically
vulnerable
and
the
true
at
risk
for
food
security
very
important.
We
have
raised
over
four
hundred
thousand
dollars
and
we're
still
yet
raising,
because
we
think
what
we're
doing
is
very
important
and
practice
honestly
I'm.
Getting
tired
and
I
need
the
support
to
make
sure
it
comes
to
fruition.
We
have
the
backing
of
the
U.S
department
of
Agriculture,
the
PA
Department
of
Health
and
sorry.
Thank
you.
I
My
name
is
Yvonne
ever
Brown
I
live
in
the
health
district
at
Katie.
Rivers
tires
up
in
the
hill
I
wanted
to
address.
One
of
the
ladies
from
the
food
bank
I
had
read
in
the
paper
where
they
were
saying
that
you
have
now
started.
Giving
out
can
openers
to
the
people
with
the
cans
of
food,
because
there
was
years
the
food
got
thrown
away.
They
had
no
way
of
opening.
I
I
also
wanted
to
say
to
the
last
lady
that
spoke.
If
you,
as
city
council,
could
see
in
your
heart
to
fund
this
lady,
she
has
been
doing
a
lot
for
the
community.
Her
and
her
husband,
I
know
she
said
and
I'm
sorry
I
was
sorry
to
hear
that
her
husband
had
passed,
but
they
had
helped
the
community.
Do
you
know
I
come
down
because
I
feel
oh
I
got
a
minute.
I
feel
that
you
have
thrown
us
old
people
away
we're
just
like
trash.
Thank
you.
J
Yeah,
thank
you.
Mr,
chair
I
really
want
to
thank
all
the
speakers
for
coming
down
to
speak
today,
and
particularly
those
who
spoke
about
the
the
food
Justice
fund
and
I'm
happy
to
support
this
I
wish
that
we
had
were
able
to
support
in
the
way
that
had
originally
been
asked
for
in
10
million
dollars,
but
I'm
glad
that
that
some
money
has
been
found.
3
million
has
been
found
to
support
all
of
the
organizations
associated
with
this
fund
and
to
support
the
good
work
that
that
you're
doing
I.
J
My
concern
is
that
going
forward
if
we
aren't
deliberate
about
what
how
we
are
going
to
manage
our
own
funds
at
the
city
at
the
city
level,
among
council
members,
and
if
there
isn't
the
coordination
with
the
food
policy
Council
as
well
that
come
2026
when
we
lose,
we
presume
that
we
lose
all
federal
support
when
arpa
dollars
have
already
been
expend
expended
that
they're,
you
know
there
will
be
a
hole
in
the
budget.
We
know
we
already
know
we're
going
to
be
struggling
as
a
city
that
year
and
that
may
be
an
expectation.
J
That's
been
set
for
city
funding
of
a
food,
Justice
fund
disappears
unless
we
plan
for
it
ahead
of
time.
So
that's
my
concern.
I
just
wanted
to
State
it
out
loud,
because
it's
something
I
was
thinking
as
I
heard.
Many
of
the
people
who
were
testifying
today
were
offering
public
comment
in
previous
hearings
that
we
need
to
be
conscious
of.
J
K
You
know,
although
I've
only
been
on
the
land
bank
for
a
year
now
that
it
just
hasn't
had
funds.
So
there's
been
a
lot
of
talk
about
funds
or
staff,
so
I
think
it's
I,
think
it's
a
you
know,
I
think
it's
been
in
I!
Think
it's
been
the
wrong
conversation.
I
think
you
can't
solve.
They
can
abandoned
property
without
a
staff
and
also
funds
to
support
cleaning
clearing
having
a
clean
title
in
a
proper.
K
A
proper
disposition
process
in
place
and
to
you
know
in
that
disposition
process
is
where
a
lot
of
different,
affordable
housing
projects
can
come
from.
So
I
think
the
conversation
has
been
lacking
there,
specifically
just
the
way
it's
been
covered,
I
mean,
although
I've
been
in
there
a
year.
I'm
sure
there's
been
some
politics
in
the
past,
but
you
know
I'd
like
to
I
like
to
understand
more
of
how
politics
gone
the
way
of
that
of
that
land
bank.
K
K
What's
the
10
million
has
been
allocated
and
the
effort
of
the
food
Justice
fund
to
you
know
the
Advocates
of
that,
and
also
the
mayor
to
to
initially
put
in
3
million
to
take
away
from
the
the
land
bank
so
I'm
supportive
of
both
efforts
and
I'm.
You
know
kind
of
agonizing
over
how
to
support
both
fully
so
I
just
want
to
make
that
clear
to
the
public
other
than
that.
K
You
know
this
is
going
to
be
a
process
that
we're
going
to
undertake
in
the
next
few
weeks.
Here
that's
been
ongoing
and
even
people
been
showing
up
to
the
budget
hearings
to
understand
more
about
the
authorities
and
the
different
departments,
one
in
particular
that
in
one
conversation
in
particular
that
I'm,
a
big
fan
of
is
increasing
the
the
amount
that
the
stop
the
Stop.
The
Violence
fund
can
be
used
to
support
administrative
I,
guess,
administrative
staff
at
the
city.
You
know
so
currently
we
are
at
20
percent
at
the
stop.
K
Thinks
about
policing
differently
thinks
about
supporting
the
the
public
differently
in
terms
of
trauma,
so
there
is
an
alternative
police
model
and
I
think
we
need
to
get
there
and
I.
Think
I
think
that
you
know
by
building
out
ochs
and
implementing
more
of
the
The
Roots
program,
which
is
the
Ahn
reaching
out
on
the
streets
to
solve
issues
related
to
homelessness
and
there's
you
know,
that's
where
the
alternative
police
model
lies.
K
You
know
at
least
have
a
path
to
accomplish
their
capital
projects
in
the
future.
So
I
am
looking
forward
to
to
trying
to
fit
some
of
the
some
of
the
planning
and
development
money.
You
know
the
initial
stages
of
a
bigger
project
in
here,
because
I
mean
it's,
it's
no
secret
that
you
know
there's
so
much
to
be
done
and
we
have
to
start
somewhere.
So
there's
just
a
few
things:
I'm,
seeing
that's
not
on
the
budget
that
I
like
to
move
forward
with.
K
You
know
in
particular
the
Hampton
battery,
and
you
know
all
around
the
sumori
pool.
I
think
that
conversation
can't
go
away.
I,
think
that
you
know
we're
not
gonna
We're
Not
Gonna.
You
know
we're
not
going
to
police
our
way
out
of
people
that
are
using
and
and
selling
small
amount
of
drugs.
But
you
know
they're
all
our
Alternatives
and
people
are
going
to
continue
to
do
that,
but
we
need
to
make
sure
that
in
that
space
that
we're
gonna,
basically
re-envision
how
that
space
can
be.
K
You
know
for
people
for
the
public
that
want
to
use
the
park
and
want
to
feel
safe
and
just
increase
Public
Safety
all
around
in
that
area
between
programming
and
also
a
hard
investment
in
maybe
the
best
basketball
court
and
the
city
goes
there,
maybe
with
the
biggest
playground,
maybe
the
biggest
spray
park.
I,
don't
know:
I
don't
have
the
answer.
I
just
know
what
the
public
does
and
the
people
that
support
that
area
and
I'm
looking
forward
to
making
sure
there's
funding
in
place.
For
that.
Thank
you.
Mr
chair.
A
L
L
M
Good
afternoon,
thank
you
for
your
time.
My
name
is
Jamie
Christian
I
am
not
a
city
resident
I
run
a
non-profit
organization
that
Services
almost
every
neighborhood
in
the
city
of
Pittsburgh
and
I.
Don't
really
have
much
to
say
today,
other
than
I
just
want
to
ask
the
members
of
council
who
have
not
who
are
having
apprehensions
about
the
food
Justice
fund
and
any
of
the
arpa
funds
to
go
to
Food
Equity.
M
N
Like
Snapchat,
thank
you
I
just
want
to
first
thank
you
for
sharing
the
meeting
and
for
everyone
coming
down
to
speak
and
I
just
want
to
say
that
I
am
thankful.
That
councilwoman
strasberger
pointed
out
our
our
fiduciary
responsibility
to
the
city
of
Pittsburgh
and
that,
although
we
oh
I,
think
I,
don't
I.
Don't
know
where
this
idea
that
members
are
not
supportive
of
the
the
hunger
groups.
N
It
is
based
on
our
responsibility
for
the
public
dollars
and
the
concern
of
what's
going
to
happen
down
the
road
and
when
we
don't
have
those
dollars
and
how
to
make
sure
that
people
are
receiving
funds,
which
is
why
I
put
in
the
legislation
for
Farms
across
the
city
of
Pittsburgh,
so
that
we
can't
help
feed
people
across
the
city
and
I.
Do
want
to
thank
Lisa
Freeman
for
her
her
great
project
and
Ebony
Lunsford
in
my
district,
who
does
an
amazing
project
with
the
with
farming
as
well?
N
Think
we
need
to
do
more
to
do
our
due
diligence
and
making
sure
that
who's,
whoever
is
receiving
those
dollars,
is
actually
delivering
on
the
services
that
they
say
and
that,
where
and
I
think
for
the
most
part
you
know
people
are
but
I
think
that
we
have
a
responsibility
to
the
public
to
make
sure
that
the
dollars
are
actually
succeeding
or
doing
the
work
that
we
want
and
that
we're
we're
telling
the
public
that
we're
funding.
So,
if
it's
to
stop
the
violence,
we
want
to
make
sure
those
groups
are
stopping
violence.
N
That's
what
I
think
those
dollars
should
have
been
used
in
part
four
I,
don't
necessarily
think
it
should
be
coming
from
the
land
bank
I
think
that
should
come
from
from
the
arpa
funds,
but
it
may
be
a
question
of
where
the
funds
come
from,
how
long
we
fund
it.
Are
the
groups
doing
what
you
know
what
we
hope,
they're
doing,
I
think
there's,
maybe
those
types
of
conversations
but
I,
don't
think
anybody
in
Council
would
ever
not
want
to
do
things.
N
As
a
matter
of
fact,
this
city
council
is
getting
ready
to
do
a
major
distribution
across
the
city
of
Pittsburgh
working
with
the
food
bank.
So
you
know
there's
more
details
of
that
to
come
later,
so
I
I,
just
I
think
that
had
it
not
been
for
city
council
and
our
commitment
to
funding
organizations
and
people
who
do
things
and
across
the
city
of
Pittsburgh,
a
lot
of
those
things
would
not
be
getting
done
because
they
should
be
coming
from
from
other
dorms.
They
should
be
coming
from
the
county.
N
They
should
be
coming
from
federal
dollars,
but
it's
kind
of
a
lot
of
it's
coming
from
our
city
budget,
which
is
a
concern,
because
we
need
to
also
do
things
that
we
are
actually
charged
with
doing
and
responsible
for
doing
so.
I
think
that's!
The
only
concern
is
where
we're
taking
the
funds
from
not
if
we're
taking
the
funds.
So
I
just
want
to
say
that,
and
thank
you
to
the
members
that
are
there
and
for
for
everyone
who
came
out
to
speak
today.
A
O
O
A
Thank
you
very
much,
lastly,
I'll
simply
sort
of
articulate
what
I've
said
before.
Certainly
supportive
of
creating
the
food
Justice
fund.
My
concern
is
the
source
of
funding
one
to
council,
I
mean
councilwoman
strasberger's
point
we're
setting
a
precedent
by
you
by
utilizing
dollars
that
are
going
to
go
away,
and
if
we,
if
we
did
not
have
the
arpa
dollars,
we
absolutely
would
not
be
able
to
see
this
fund
at
this
time
and
so
looking
at
it
responsibly.
What
do
we
do
once
these
dollars
go
away?
A
My
second
concern
is
the
source
of
which
we're
pulling
the
funding
from
so.
If
people
are
not
aware,
we
initially
funded
the
land
bank
at
10
million
dollars,
and
we
did
so
because
we,
as
a
body
have
said
we
are
not
doing
enough
to
address
the
housing
needs
within
our
city,
which
is
why
we
created
the
Housing
Opportunity
fund,
which
is
why
we
allocated
money
to
the
land
bank.
A
However,
we're
now
suggesting
to
pull
money
away
from
the
land
bank
to
see
the
food
of
Justice
fund,
and
so,
while
I'm
supportive
of
the
fund.
My
concern
is
the
source
of
funding
that
we're
utilizing
and
so
I
think
as
a
body
we're
going
to
spend
the
next
couple
weeks.
Sort
of
working
amongst
ourselves
to
figure
out
is
indeed
the
3
million
from
the
the
Land
Bank
the
best
source,
or
is
there
another
way
to
see
this
initiative?
A
That'll
also
have
a
more
sustainable
source
of
funding
as
well
and
we'll
take
up
that
conversation,
but
I
think
I
can
fairly
fairly
I
I
believe
I
can
speak
fairly
well
for
all
members
and
saying
that
all
members
are
supportive
of
the
initiative.
How
we
fund
it
where
it's
funded
from
is
what
we're
going
to
have
to
work
through
anything
else
for
members.