Title
Resolution authorizing the City of Pittsburgh Council to conduct investigations dealing with the legislative and administrative matters of whether or not unification(s) with other municipalities starting with the Borough of Wilkinsburg would be the desire of and in the best interest of the Citizens of Pittsburgh.
Body
WHEREAS, per GD-21-14817, a petition of Wilkinsburg voters compelled legislative action on the City of Pittsburgh Council, and;
WHEREAS City Council is interested in investigating whether or not uniting with Wilkinsburg Borough, would be the desire of and in the best interest of the Citizens of Pittsburgh, and;
WHEREAS City Council is interested in investigating whether or not unification(s) with other municipalities would be the desire of and in the best interest of the Citizens of Pittsburgh;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authority. The City of Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter authorizes Council to investigate legislative and administrative matters pursuant to Article 3, Sections 310(b) and 312.
Section 2. Subjects.
(a) Council is hereby authorized to investigate whether or not the annexation, merger, consolidation, agreement(s), or other means of unification, in whole or in part, with the Borough of Wilkinsburg and its School District, is in the best interest of the City of Pittsburgh.
(b) Future investigations into whether or not the annexation merger, consolidation, agreement, or other means of unification, in whole or in part, with other municipalities, or their municipal authorities, or their school districts may be authorized upon a majority vote by Council to either study unification or not, in a separate, companion, resolution to this Resolution
Section 3. Lead. Council hereby authorizes the Chair of the Standing Committees of Council to lead the Wilkinsburg investigation.
Section 4. Establish Process. The preliminary step of the investigation is to develop a template for the due process owed to Council and the Citizens of Pittsburgh to consider whether or not any unification efforts should be pursued at all, and if so, how, and when? The preliminary step is completed upon a communication by Council.
Section 5. Scope. The investigation’s secondary aim is to limit the scope of the investigation, as defined in the authorizing resolution to specified municipalities, municipal authorities, or school districts, for potential, exploratory purposes only. If the investigation concludes no form of unification is in order within the next two years, then the investigation shall automatically conclude, unless otherwise extended by two-thirds majority vote of Council.
Section 6. Formation of Special Committee. A Special Committee shall be formed solely from the Chair of the Standing Committees and two (2) other members of Council, not to exceed three (3) members of Council; usually representing communities that abut the municipalities being investigated. Further, an Advisory Committee may also be formed solely of non-Council members who have relevant expertise or knowledge related to the scope of the investigation. Said Special Committee and Advisory Committee, if any, shall be appointed by the President of Council.
Section 7. Duration. Parties responsible for the investigation, if any, shall produce impact reports for each Standing Committee within six (6) months from the time the Special Committee was approved, unless otherwise extended by two-thirds majority vote of Council.
Section 8. Content of Impact Reports. The impact reports shall be developed in concert with elected officials of impacted municipalities, school districts and duly appointed members of municipal authorities. Prior to presentation to each Standing Committee, there shall be reasonable public process to aid in the conclusions of the investigations. Impact reports shall include a survey and index of the needs, sentiment and concerns of the individuals and families potentially impacted by the scope of the investigation. In no way shall the investigation(s) hereunder be equated with a promise to unify in whole or in part, to the public, or with any party within the scope of the investigation.
Section 9. Budget. The City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement, agreements, or amendments with Special Counsel(s) to the Special Committee in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars and zero cents ($5,000.00) for financial or legal analysis unique to the scope of the investigation of Wilkinsburg. The intent is to create a fiduciary relationship between Special Counsel(s) and the Council members comprising the Special Committee. The Advisory Committee shall not be compensated for their service on their Committee.
Section 10. Any ordinance, resolution, or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Resolution shall be interpreted in favor of giving full effect of this Resolution.