title
Resolution authorizing the Mayor to establish and convene the Joint Task Force on Construction Industry Fraud.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh has municipal ordinances to protect the health, safety and livelihood of its residents and persons performing services within its limits; and
WHEREAS, construction businesses have been adopting unfair trade practices, including tax fraud, which violate those ordinances; and
WHEREAS, those violations can threaten the health and safety of construction workers and others, and disadvantage and, thus, threaten the viability of businesses acting lawfully within the City; and
WHEREAS, those violations can harm City revenues needed for the public good and operation of the City and unfair construction trade practices also violate City contracts or other construction agreements; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the City to promote fairness, combat discrimination and protect the welfare of all within its limits; and
WHEREAS, the construction industry is vital to the health of the economy and middle class of Pittsburgh. In 2017, construction accounted for over 57,000 jobs and grew by 7.3 percent, the fastest of any other industry.
WHEREAS, violations of ordinances in the construction industry frequently include the failure to comply with the payment of proper wages that make it difficult for construction workers and their families to reach and maintain a middle-class livelihood.
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. PURPOSE
A. The Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to establish the Joint Task Force on Construction Industry Fraud (hereinafter referred to as the “Joint Task Force”).
B. All members of the Joint Task Force must be residents of the City of Pittsburgh
C. The purpose of the Joint Task Force is to provide recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on relevant issues.
Section 2. DEFINITIONS
A. Construction: defined as the building, reconstructing, improving, enlarging, demolition, altering, maintaining and repairing of a structure attached to real property.
Section 3. MEMBERSHIP
A. The Joint Task Force shall be comprised of members from:
a. City of Pittsburgh City Council
b. City of Pittsburgh Office of the Mayor
c. Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office
d. Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council
e. Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
f. Office of City Controller
g. Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections
h. And other groups to be determined.
Section 4. POWERS AND DUTIES
A. The Joint Task Force shall meet at quarterly.
B. Review existing programs and practices.
C. Advise and provide studies and recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.
D. The Joint Task Force shall create a report with any recommended code and/or policy changes to protect businesses and their workers against tax fraud and unfair construction industry trade practices.
E. A report shall be sent to City Council and filed by the City Clerk.
Section 7. EFFECTIVE DATE
A. The effective date of this Resolution shall be considered to be immediately upon being signed by the Mayor, after being finally passed by City Council.