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Resolution amending and supplementing Resolution No. 844 of 2019, effective December 23, 2019, entitled, “Resolution establishing the All-In Cities Investment Fund”, to facilitate and prioritize investments made by the Greater Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Fund.
(Held for Post Agenda)
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Whereas, the federal Civil Rights Act(s) of 1964, 1965 and 1968 banned discrimination because of a person’s color, race, national origin, gender or religion; and,
Whereas, Article III, § 26 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prohibits the Commonwealth or any of its’ subdivisions from denying to any person “the enjoyment of any civil right”; and,
Whereas, in Pittsburgh, concentrated poverty remains a serious challenge to the ability of poor families and children to access opportunities and move up the economic ladder; and,
Whereas, here in Pittsburgh, a pervasive sense exists that are “two Pittsburghs”: one which grows more prosperous with each passing day and the other, cut off from opportunity by poverty, structural racism and discrimination; and,
Whereas, data recently released by the National Equity Atlas show that this inequality comes at a great cost to the city and the region: Pittsburgh’s economic output would be nearly $5 billion dollars higher every year without the clear racial inequities in income; and,
Whereas, urgent action is needed is needed to steer growth and change in a new direction; and,
Whereas, Pittsburgh’s racial, economic and geographic inequities are no mere moral challenge, but an existential threat to the City’s long-term resilience and prosperity; and,
Whereas, All-In Cities, a program created in conjunction with PolicyLink, works to dismantle persistent racial barriers and invest in people of color who are the emerging majority in America, is the only just course of action for all of the City’s residents; and,
Whereas, the time is long overdue for the City to enact, implement and enforce policies and practices to build a City for All.
Whereas, the City is committed to implement the recommendations of the Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition (PBEOC) facilitated the Pittsburgh Peace and Justice Initiative (P&JI). The P&JI recommendations covers six (6) key civic areas Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Family Outcomes, Business and Organizational Development, Education and Employment identified by the PBEOC as critical to the future of the African American’s in the region.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Resolution No. 844 of 2019, effective December 23, 2019, entitled, “Resolution establishing the All-In Cities Investment Fund” (“Resolution No. 844”), is hereby amended as follows:
a. Section 2 of Resolution No. 844, which reads, “The Directors of Finance, the Office of Management and Budget and the City Controller are hereby authorized to establish an All-In Cities Investment Fund in cooperation with the Poise Foundation, Pittsburgh’s only African American Foundation pursuant to § 161.02A(8).”, is hereby amended to read, “The City of Pittsburgh is authorized to establish an All-In Cities Investment fund with the Poise Foundation, Pittsburgh’s only African American Foundation.”;
b. Section 3 of Resolution No. 844, which reads, “The Purpose of the All-In Investment Fund is to invest in projects and activities that advance the recommendations from PolicyLink’s “Equitable Development: The Path to an All-in Pittsburgh.””, is hereby amended to read, “The Purpose of the All-In Investment Fund is to invest in technical assistance, social services and entrepreneur activities connected with new development projects in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.”;
c. Section 4 of Resolution No. 844, which reads, “The Mayor with the approval of City Council will appoint an advisory committee, that includes community representation, to evaluate All-in Cities Investment Fund proposals.”, is hereby amended to read, “All-In- Investment Fund will prioritize investments in activities connected to projects funded by the Greater Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Fund.”;
d. Section 5 of Resolution No. 844, which reads, “The Poise Foundation shall be authorize to solicit, collect and disburse funds for the All-In Cities Investment Fund.”, is hereby amended to read, “The Mayor, with the approval of City Council will appoint an advisory committee to evaluate All-in Cities Investment Fund funding proposals.”;
e. Section 6 of Resolution No. 844, which reads, “The Poise Foundation, on behalf of the All-In Cities Investment Fund shall provide an annual financial report to the Mayor, City Council and the City Controller, as well as an annual report to the public which shall list the projects and activities supported by the All-In Investment Fund and a description of how each of the funded projects and activities advance PolicyLink’s All-In recommendations.”, is hereby amended to read, “The Poise Foundation would be authorize to solicit, collect and distribute funds for the All-in Cities Investment Fund.”;
f. Section 7 of Resolution No. 844, which reads, “City Council finds the establishment of the All-In Cities Investment Fund, its associated programs, activities and expenditures to be necessary and valid public purposes for which City monies shall be expended.”, is hereby amended to read, “The Poise Foundation on behalf of the All-In Cities Investment Fund will provide an annual financial report to the Mayor and City Council.”;
Section 2. Resolution No. 844 is hereby supplemented as follows:
a. “Section 8. City Council finds the establishment of the All-In Cities Investment Fund, its associated programs, activities and expenditures to be necessary and valid public purposes for which City moneys monies shall be expended.”