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WHEREAS, Mayor Ravenstahl's proposed lease of parking assets of both the Pittsburgh Parking Authority and the City of Pittsburgh is the most important policy decision for the year 2010, and
WHEREAS, Mayor Ravenstahl's proposed lease of parking assets will have a profound impact on future budgets and the entire pension system for the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, and
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh City Council has begun a comprehensive independent analysis to provide the public with detailed financial findings on all options; and
WHEREAS, the decision to lease, sell, transfer, keep, privatize, or consider other options with these assets will require the most public process possible for the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, the Comprehensive Municipal Pension Trust Fund and the City of Pittsburgh, and
WHEREAS, to give the citizens of Pittsburgh the greatest possible input into this process, the members of City Council plan to hold public hearings on the proposed legislation across the City of Pittsburgh, and
WHEREAS, the issuance of the Request for Proposals from the seven competing teams of private concessionaires could potentially trigger a series of timeline requirements that could unnecessarily force an attenuation of the public process for only one option, and
WHEREAS, the Council recognizes the importance in both scope and magnitude of this policy matter and want to provide a long and reasonable period of time for all parties and all citizens to weigh all options, discuss and debate the merits of all options and make an informed and independent decision,
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh adopts the following timeline for the public discussion of the proposed lease of parking assets for the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parking Authority:
Release of Draft Concessionaire's Agreement (No later than June 21st)
The Mayor must give the public an opportunity to review and discuss the draft agreement. Once the RFP is issued there can be no amendments to the concessionaire's agreement.
Post-Agenda Meetings (July 1st-July 31st)
The council will need time to educate itself in post-agenda meetings. Having these meetings in late June and early July would possibly enable the council to offer amendments to the agreement. These include meetings with the consultant hired by City Council.
Introduction of Legislation (As early as August 23rd)
As soon as the PPA subcommittee on monetization has received its responses, legislation should be introduced at City Council. This will include facts and findings from City Council's independent analysis.
Public Hearings Across City (August 23rd-- October 15th)
Given the magnitude and the long-term consequences of this decision, Council has an obligation to hold public hearings in each of the council districts. At each of these meetings all of the options available regarding parking assets shall be presented.
Legislative Discussion (August 23rd-- October 15th)
Concurrent with the public hearings, City Council should schedule post-agendas on the pension system, the need for cash infusion and the monetization plan. Final vote on all legislation would occur no later than September 28th.