Title
Ordinance amending and supplementing the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title One, Administrative, Article Three, Organization, by adding a new Chapter, Chapter 136, Department of City Development, and setting forth its powers and duties.
Body
WHEREAS, Section 208 of the City of Pittsburgh's Home Rule Charter permits units of government to be established, revised or abolished by ordinance introduced by the Mayor or City Council; and,
WHEREAS, Section 102 of the Charter defines "unit of government" as including "any subdivision of City government including any department, bureau, division, board, commission or magistrate court"; and,
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via statute Title 53, Part III, Cities of the Second Class, Chapter 53, Executive Departments, Article XIII, Department of City Development, Sections 22801, et seq., empowers the City of Pittsburgh Council to create the Department of City Development which shall be in charge of a City Development Commission by ordinance; and,
WHEREAS, under the laws of this Commonwealth and under the Home Rule Charter the City Council now wishes to begin the process of consolidating various city-services into a type of one-stop-shop, for the Department of City Development to encompass the responsibilities and functions of the current contracts and employees of the Department of City Planning and the Division of Design Review, as set forth herein below.
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title One, Administrative, Article Three, Organization, is hereby amended and supplemented by adding Chapter 136, Department of City Development, and setting forth its powers and duties.
Chapter 136.01 Department of City Development and Commission on City Development
(a) Pursuant to 53 P.S. § 22801 et. seq., the Department of City Development, is hereby established, which shall be in the charge of a City Development Commission, which is also hereby established, consisting of five (5) residents of the city, to be appointed by the mayor with the approval of council, one of whom shall be designated to serve from his/her appointment until January 1, 2027; one from his/her appointment until January 1, 2028; one from his/her appointment until January 1, 2029; one from his/her appointment until January 1, 2030, and one from his/her appointment until January 1, 2031.
(b) Their respective successors shall be appointed on the expiration of their respective terms, to serve for five years.
(c) An appointment to fill a casual vacancy shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term.
(d) Three of the members shall be a quorum. They may make regulations for their own organization and procedure, consistent with the laws of this Commonwealth and the ordinances of the city. They shall serve without compensation and make, annually, to the mayor a report of their transactions and recommendations. They may employ such persons and employees as may be necessary, whose salary, together with the necessary expense of the commission, shall be provided for, in the discretion of council, by the proper appropriations and ordinances.
Chapter 136.02 Functions and Duties
The Department of City Development shall,
(a) Make surveys of, and, subject to the approval of council and mayor, supervise and regulate the housing conditions in such city.
(b) Make surveys of conditions for the encouragement and development of industries in the city.
(c) Make such recommendations to the mayor and council as it shall deem proper for the improvement and development of the facilities for housing of persons and for the encouragement and development of industries in the city.
(d) Enforce and carry into effect the laws of the Commonwealth and ordinances of the city, pertaining to housing conditions and the encouragement and development of industries and business facilities.
(e) Pursuant to § 209 of the Charter, the Mayor shall appoint the Director of City Development with the approval of Council.
Chapter 136.03 Powers and Duties of the Department of City Development and the Commission on City Development
The Department of City Development and Commission on City Development shall be organized and have such powers and duties as are set forth in the Acts of Assembly and in City ordinances.