Presenter
Presented by Mr. Shields
Title
Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code, Title One-Administrative, Article IX-Boards, Commissions and Authorities, by adding a new section at Chapter 180 in order to create a Clean Pittsburgh Commission.
Body
Whereas, it is in the best interest of any community to maintain a clean healthy environment in its business districts and residential neighborhoods as it speaks to the quality of life of a community; and
Whereas, in order to promote, coordinate, and fund efforts to maintain a litter free and attractive living environment, a focused effort is required by citizens, institutions and government; and,
Whereas, the people of the City of Pittsburgh have expressed their desire to improve the overall quality of life in their city. Citizens have historically supported coordinated efforts to eradicate blight, clean city lots and streets, plant community gardens, sponsor murals, and recycle products from plastics to newsprint in that effort; and,
Whereas, it is of great benefit to maintain a clean city and to do so in a coordinated, productive fashion.
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. Amending the Pittsburgh Code, Title One-Administrative, Article IX-Boards, Commissions and Authorities, by adding a new section at Chapter 180 in order to create a Clean Pittsburgh Commission.
Title I, Article IX: Boards and Commissions
Chapter 180.00 ESTABLISHMENT OF Clean Pittsburgh COMMISSION
§180.01 The Clean Pittsburgh Commission is hereby established to fulfill the following purposes:
(a) to act as the primary resource for addressing quality of life issues in Pittsburgh's communities through education, community clean-ups, beautification and ordinance enforcement;
(b) to coordinate communication among neighborhood organizations as to how best to maintain and improve neighborhood environments;
(c) to establish communication with City Departments and officials in order to gain assistance in addressing neighborhood problems;
(d) to facilitate collaboration between community groups, residents and City government to reach the most effective solutions to neighborhood problems within the Commission's scope;
(e) to coordinate work with local volunteer organizations and groups to facilitate neighborhood clean-ups;
(f) to generate funds to address neighborhood problems on a City-wide basis; and
(g) to work cooperatively with groups to reduce air pollution, including greenhouse gases.
§ 180.02 COMMISSION MEMBERS
(a) The Commission shall consist of a maximum of fifteen (15) members. A majority of the members of the Commission must be residents of the City of Pittsburgh. Members shall serve for a term of four (4) years or until successors are appointed and qualified. The terms of the initial members shall be staggered. The Commission shall adopt such rules and regulations for its operations and procedures, as it deems necessary to implement this chapter. Commission members shall serve without compensation.
(b) The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council and shall include the following:
(1) A representative from the Mayor's Office staff;
(2) Three (3) representatives from the City's Department of Public Works
i. One (1) representative from Environmental Services,
ii. One (1) representative from Partners in Parks,
iii. One (1) representative from Graffiti Removal;
(3)Two (2) representatives from the Department of Public Safety
i. One (1) representative from the Police Bureau
ii. One (1) representative from the Bureau of Building Inspection;
(4) Two (2) representatives from the Pennsylvania Resources Council, Inc.;
(5) A representative from PA CleanWays of Allegheny County;
(6) Six (6) representatives from neighborhood organizations, community groups, interested non-profit organizations, local educational institutions, businesses, and Allegheny County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government representatives.
(7) In the event that representatives of the Pennsylvania Resources Council or the Pennsylvania CleanWays of Allegheny County are not willing or available to serve on the Commission, the corresponding number of representatives from neighborhood organizations, community groups, interested non-profit organizations, local educational institutions and business shall be increased accordingly so that the total board membership may equal fifteen (15) members.
(c) Members of organizations whose services are needed to augment the work of the Commission shall be invited by the Commission to serve on an ad hoc basis, in committees, to address current issues.
(d) The Mayor and City Council members, or their designees, shall serve in an ex officio capacity.
§ 180.03 MEETINGS AND CHAIR
(a) Within sixty (60) days of the confirmation of the appointments of all members of the Commission, the Commission shall convene to elect a chairperson by a roll call vote of the majority of the members of the Commission in attendance. The Chairperson must be a City of Pittsburgh resident.
(b) The Commission may also elect a vice-chair and other board officers, as needed;
(c) The chairperson so elected shall serve for the remainder of the calendar year and for the following calendar year. Thereafter, an election shall be held in November of the second year, and the newly elected Chair shall begin serving at the following January meeting and shall serve for two calendar years.
(d) A vacancy in the position of chairperson of the Commission shall be filled by a roll call vote of the majority of the members of the Commission in attendance. The person so selected shall serve temporarily until the end of the calendar year, with an election held in November, so that a duly elected Chair will begin to serve on January 1 of the subsequent calendar year for a complete two-year term.
(e) If an election for chairperson is not held, the last person holding the position of chairperson will act in that capacity until a successor is appointed and qualified.
(f) The Commission shall meet quarterly, at a minimum, at a time and place designated by the Commission chairperson.
(g) Five members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and a simple majority vote of those present at any meeting is sufficient for any official action.
§ 180.04 POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION
(a) The Commission shall meet at least annually with the Mayor to establish priorities, goals and guidelines for its work to be conducted over the course of the year.
(b) The Commission shall distribute its agendas and minutes to the Mayor and to Council members.
(c) The Commission shall issue an Annual Report regarding its accomplishments to the Mayor and Council. This report shall be issued to the public via the Mayor's Office.
(d) Activities of the Commission may include, but are not limited to:
1. educating community groups as to appropriate preventive measures;
2. working with community groups and City Departments to coordinate neighborhood clean-ups;
3. maintaining a clearinghouse of resource information, including community beautification organizations;
4. working with City departments to help focus departmental efforts;
5. coordinating recycling initiatives; and
6. coordinating recognition events.
(e) Any other activities, consistent with existing laws and policies, that further the mission of the Commission.
§ 180.05 Reauthorization of the Commission
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh shall reauthorize the Commission every five (5) years. Prior to reauthorization the Commission shall report to the Council, detailing its efforts and to advise the Council on the functions of the Commission.
§ 180.06 Effective Date
The ordinance shall become effective upon the date the Mayor signs the enabling legislation