Monica Bender

This guide, adopted by the City of Pittsburgh in March 2020, establishes a standardized and transparent framework for developing neighborhood plans that can be formally adopted by the City Planning Commission. It outlines a five-phase process: Organize, Visualize, Strategize, Formalize, and Realize. The plan integrates core city goals of equity, sustainability, and resiliency, aligning with frameworks such as the EcoDistricts Protocol and UN Sustainable Development Goals. It provides guidance for public agencies, community organizations, and stakeholders to create comprehensive plans covering community, development, mobility, and infrastructure, ensuring data-driven decisions and robust public engagement.

This document outlines a framework for public engagement in the City of Pittsburgh's long-range planning processes, establishing principles and guidelines to improve engagement efforts. Key goals include renewing the approach to public engagement, encouraging active and diverse participation, establishing city-wide principles for various departments, providing staff with engagement tools, setting clear expectations for residents, and acknowledging local expertise. The plan emphasizes maximizing participation, valuing relationships, building trust, centering equity and fairness, and ensuring transparency and open communication. It aims to provide a roadmap for designing, delivering, and evaluating effective public engagement.

This document outlines the comprehensive planning process for the City of Pittsburgh, emphasizing the creation of an integrated citywide plan to guide future growth and unify neighborhood initiatives. Its foundational approach incorporates climate justice and Just Transition principles, aiming to address climate change alongside racial, social, and environmental injustices. The plan seeks to prioritize the health, safety, and success of all residents, advocating for sustainable land use, renewable energy, and equitable economic opportunities for all Pittsburghers.

The meeting included reports on the Disability Advocacy and Inclusion Committee's goals regarding the ADA Coordinator position. A guest presentation from the Autism Connection of PA focused on public safety and law enforcement training for individuals with disabilities, covering topics such as victimization, police training, and the systemic challenges faced by people with disabilities in the justice system. Additionally, the ADA Coordinators provided updates on park facility assessments, strategic planning alignment, and survey results regarding task force priorities, which include infrastructure and transportation. The meeting concluded with public comments regarding ableism in medicine and pedestrian accessibility.

The Board approved several procurement and operational agreements, including the purchase of a riding carpet extractor, table skirting, standing lecterns, and office chairs. Key actions included authorizing a license agreement with VisitPittsburgh for a new welcome center, extending a lease for CobblerWorld, LLC, and approving the sale of furniture and fixtures from the North Shore Garage to Mark's Grille & Catering. Additionally, the Board approved a license agreement with Just Ducky Tours, Inc. for tour operations, contracted geese control services, approved cleaning services for the Water Steps, authorized reimbursement for structural steel painting at Heinz Field, engaged O&S Associates, Inc. for facility inspections, and extended a Standby Bond Purchase Agreement with PNC Bank.