Title
Resolution establishing the Pittsburgh Strong Communities Initiative and Advisory Committee.
Body
WHEREAS, according to the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter, “A responsible city is one which seeks to ensure that all of its citizens' needs are met, whether from public or private, city, county, state or national sources. A responsible city is one which expects aggressive action from its officials toward the achievement of dignified housing, useful employment, pure air and water, efficient transportation excellent education, health, safety, recreation and culture, and the other conditions conducive to human growth.”
WHEREAS, Mayor Ed Gainey’s Transition Report 2022, (“Transition Report”), “The City must adopt a new definition of public safety that is understood to be a matter of public health and well-being for Pittsburgh residents and visitors. Public health is an essential lens that needs to be internalized and implemented across all city Departments, not just in the Department of Public Health (DPH).”
WHEREAS, according to the Transition Report, “[the City] is strongly encouraged to develop a legislative agenda, programs, and policies to specifically address SDOH. The City should invest in prevention methods that focus on intergenerational approaches to illness/wellness.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH HEREBY ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City of Pittsburgh hereby establishes the Pittsburgh Strong Communities Initiative. The Pittsburgh Strong Communities Initiative is a comprehensive, collaborative process supporting citizens and community based organizations in creating healthy, safe and strong communities.
Section 2. The Council shall work with the City to support and implement The Pittsburgh Strong Communities Initiative, a participatory process promoting health, safety, and well-being through public engagement, capacity building and technical assistance.to citizens and community based organizations.
Section 3. The Pittsburgh Strong Communities Initiative will provide public engagement, capacity building and technical assistance.to citizens and community based organizations. There are the five fundamental principles of the public engagement process: 1. Transparency and Open Communication Legitimate processes and credibility are built through transparency and open communication with all stakeholders. 2. Build a Foundation of Trust Reconcile historic inequities to build a new foundation based on trust. 3. Center Equity and Fairness Acknowledge systematic issues and make intentional efforts to address equity considerations in any engagement process. 4. Value Relationships Human relationships with the community foster respect and increase engagement from representative community groups and residents. Project leads should value those relationships in any process. 5. Maximize Participation Well-designed engagement processes maximize participation of residents and stakeholders.
Section 4. The work of the Pittsburgh Strong Communities Initiative will be informed by the social determinants of health. Healthy, Safe and Strong communities are those in which all residents have access to a quality education, safe and healthy homes, adequate employment, transportation, physical activity, and nutrition, in addition to quality health care. The Pittsburgh Strong Communities Initiative will support these outcomes by providing capacity building and technical assistance to citizens and community-based organizations to pursue resources and undertake actions that foster health and safety in their neighborhoods.
Section 5. The Pittsburgh Strong Communities Initiative activities shall:
a. Develop, implement and manage a continuous Public Engagement process that involves the public in problem solving or decision making and uses public input to target capacity building and technical assistance efforts.;
b. Provide education, training and technical assistance to citizens, small businesses and community-based organizations to build their capacity to participate in activities that lead to increased public health, safety and well-being;
c. Increase the ability of residents and small businesses and the capacity of community-based organizations to advance policies and to implement environmental and social changes and community-centered programs that lead to increased public health, safety and well-being;
d. Assist residents and community stakeholders to champion policy and environmental change in their communities that lead to increased public health safety and well-being;
e. Facilitating and participating in community-driven processes to address key issues as listed in the CDC’s Social Determinants of Health and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals;
Section 6. Council hereby:
a. establishes the Pittsburgh Strong Communities Initiative Advisory Committee (“Advisory Committee”). The Advisory Committee shall consist of nine (9) health and safety experts. Each member of Council shall name one (1) member of the Advisory Committee.
b. Charges the City Council Office of Public Engagement with facilitating the work of the Advisory Committee and administering the activities described in Section 5 of this resolution