Presenter
Presented by Mr. Peduto
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WHEREAS, since the transition of Housing Court from the City of Pittsburgh to Allegheny County and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), the Court has seen a reduced number of hearings scheduled; and
WHEREAS, the Criminal Rules of Summary Procedure prohibit the scheduling of a summary trial until a defendant enters a not guilty plea with the court; and
WHEREAS, the ability for the Bureau of Building Inspection to effectively enforce the Pittsburgh Building Code requires both advanced technology and a strong judicial backing; and
WHEREAS, a centralized independent housing court allows for more efficient Bureau of Building Inspection involvement in cases, and further allows for one magistrate to hear all Housing Court cases which will ensure that repeat offenders that cross magisterial districts are more easily tracked and identified.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh requests that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court change the Criminal Rules of Summary Procedure to allow for the scheduling of hearings in housing court, if a defendant does not enter a plea; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh requests that the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas immediately begins to use the enforcement power of constables to serve warrants on those defendants that do not respond to Housing Court by entering a plea, and/or attend schedule Housing Court hearings, and/or pay fines ordered by the Court; and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh supports the Bureau of Building Inspection's proposed implementation of an automated code enforcement system and "real time" inspection results through the use of wireless technology and calls on the Mayor to provide for full implementation of the plan through the City's operating and capital budget over the next five years; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVE...
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