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WHEREAS, We as local leaders recognize that economic security is fundamental to public health and that we are only as healthy as those most vulnerable, least economically secure, and least covered by our social services. Thus we must do all we can to keep people secure enough to take care of themselves and endure a quarantine or treatment if required; and
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WHEREAS, The World Health Organization (“WHO”) has declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, defined as the worldwide spread of a new virus for which most people do not have immunity; and
WHEREAS, More than 1,000 Americans have confirmed cases of COVID-19. Significant delays in testing have placed national testing rates far behind other countries, suggesting that many potential cases have gone untested and, thus potentially uncontained; and
WHEREAS, On March 6, 2020, Governor Wolf issued an emergency disaster declaration specifically noting a “threat of imminent disaster and emergency” with the potential to “cause significant adverse impacts” throughout the Commonwealth. There have been fifteen reported cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania to date; and
WHEREAS. The Paid Sick Leave Act went into effect on March 15th, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Paid Sick Leave Act is to improve the public health by granting Paid Sick Time to employees in the city of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, In preparation for a likely health emergency, the City of Pittsburgh began implementing precautionary measures, such as issuing citywide health guidelines and canceling large-scale public gatherings; and
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s Winter Shut Off Moratorium ensures that qualifying customers retain water service from December 31st through March 31st of each year if they are unable to pay their bill; and
WHEREAS, the Winter Shut Off Moratorium is available to single-family residential customers earning an annual income that is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level; and
WHEREAS, access to clean water is vital to slowing the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia and other cities have taken similar measures to address this crisis
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The Council of the City of Pittsburgh calls on Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to indefinitely extend the Winter Shut Off Moratorium and to restore water service to all occupied residential properties that currently do not have service due to a shutoff.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The Council of The City of Pittsburgh calls on the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, The Pennsylvania Courts, all landlords and leasing agents, West Penn Electric, Duquesne Light, Columbia Gas, Peoples Gas, and Pennsylvania American Water, to enact moratoriums on evictions, residential foreclosures, tax liens on residential properties, and utility shut-offs in response to the COVID-19 global health emergency.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The Council of The City of Pittsburgh reminds employers that the requirements of the Paid Sick Leave Act, effective March 15th, 2020, are mandatory for all employers.