As we approach the December holidays—whichever holiday your family celebrates—I want to wish you a joyous and peaceful season. It is truly a pleasure and a privilege to serve District 4 and the City in my role, and I am thankful for your confidence and support. I wish you much happiness and prosperity in 2017 and beyond.
Every month, our South Pittsburgh newsletter highlights neighborhood news, project updates, and major developments. Much of our everyday work that goes into to bigger accomplishments goes untold. Here are just a few things City Council District 4 did in November!
Councilwoman Rudiak kicked off November with Proclamations of Council honoring our region's veterans for Veteran's Day, and honoring the Salvation Army and WTAE for their annual Project Bundle Up program, which provides coats to kids across the region. You can learn more or donate to Project Bundle Up here: http://www.projectbundleup.com/donate.html
Chief of Staff, Ashleigh, attended the Carrick-Overbrook Block Watch, where she gave updates to the community about important budget line items reserved for Carrick in 2017, including a new HVAC system for Phillips Park Rec Center and new play equipment for Leolyn Parklet.
Staff also attended the Brookline Block Watch, which meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at Judge Jim Motznik's office at 736 Brookline Blvd.
On November 14, Mayor Peduto gave his annual budget address to City Council. His speech emphasized the importance of reinvesting in our facilities, like fire houses and parks, while also taking on new initiatives to increase access to early childhood education in the City.
Councilwoman Rudiak attended several events and conference sessions sponsored by the National League of Cities conference, which brought thousands of officials from cities across the country to Pittsburgh. The National League of Cities honored Natalia with their annual Woman in Municipal Government award.
Our City Christmas tree was lit and decked out for the season! Be sure to make it Downtown before Christmas, if you haven't already. It's worth the trip.
My office attended the annual Fairhaven Gala, which honors the late Mabel Speicher, and raises money for the historic and very active Fairhaven United Methodist Church in Overbrook. Mabel lived a long life of service right here in our community, and this event honors her memory and continues her good work.
Staff also attended the Overbrook Community Council, which meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday at 7:00 PM at the Fairhaven United Methodist Church at 2415 Saw Mill Run Blvd.
Councilwoman Rudiak and Ashleigh Deemer met with the Departments of Law and Finance, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority to discuss the case of Berg Place in Carrick.
Councilwoman Rudiak attended and chaired several budget hearings in City Council, including hearings for the Law and Finance departments, the Office of Management and Budget, Procurement, and the Equipment Leasing Authority. Directors and managers in each of these departments explained their proposed 2017 budget allocations, reported on initiatives and activities done in 2016, and answered questions from Councilmembers.
The Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections is hosting a Community Forum to give both residents and those who work with the City a chance to learn more about the department.
The forum will continue monthly to inform those who interact with our department of changes in the permitting process, updates in ordinances, new technology, and visions for the future. There will also be a chance for a Q&A.
If you've ever bene curious about our permit review times, permit checklists, code bulletins, contractor licenses, rental registration, code enforcement laws, zoning or staffing, these meetings will give you the chance to get answers straight from the source!
9AM on Wednesday, December 14th
200 Ross Street, 1st Floor Conference Room (For accessible entrance, please use entry in rear of building)
Good news! The Parking Authority board of directors authorized free parking days leading up to the December holidays to encourage people to shop in the City.
Parking is FREE in Authority-owned garages on the following dates:
Saturday, December 3rd
Saturday, December 10th
Saturday December 17th
Saturday, December 24th
Here are the eligible garages:
Third Avenue, Downtown Ninth & Penn, Downtown Smithfield & Liberty, Downtown Oliver, Downtown Ft. Duquesne & Sixth, Downtown Wood Street and Blvd of the Allies, Downtown Mellon Square, Downtown Grant Street Transportation Center, Downtown First Avenue Garage & T Station, Downtown Forbes and Semple, Oakland Shadyside Garage, Shadyside
The team at Phillips Park Recreation Center in Carrick is working hard, as always, to bring you exciting active programming for the whole family! Grab your calendar and make sure to plan your winter around these amazing and affordable opportunities for family fun.
Kindersports: Join us for fun, exploratory recreation for pre-school aged children. Learn about the way we move our bodies while playing silly games and exercising. Includes gym time, story time, craft, and a snack!
- FREE
- Mondays 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Ages 1-5
Zumba: This drop-in class combines active, creative dance and aerobic exercise. An excellent total body workout. Taught by a private instructor.
- $5
- Mondays 6:00PM
- Ages 16+
Hip Hop Dance: This class mixes fun with exercise through hip-hop dance. Learn the basic skills and techniques required for hip-hop dance throughout the program. Taught by a private instructor.
- $5
- Mondays, 7:00-8:00PM
- 1/9 to 2/27
- Ages 7-12
Youth Soccer: This league includes 8-weeks of league play and ends with a playoff. All participants receive a t-shirt and participation medal. Coaches needed!!
- Age 9-11: Mondays, 12/5 through 3/6
- Age 12-14: Wednesdays, 12/7-3/8
- 6:00, 7:00, 8:00PM (rotating schedule)
Family Fun Night: Enjoy an organized open gym at the rec with your entire family. Each night a new game or activity will be facilitated by our staff or choose your own family activity.
- FREE
- Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30PM
- All Ages
Walk At The Rec: This class will offer a low-impact walk aerobic exercise. The intensity and distance of the workout will increase as the class progresses.
- Tuesdays, 12/6-2-21, 10:30-11:30AM
Fitness Hour with Joe: Join our Certified Personal Trainer for an hour of weights and cardio. KinderKids Club is happening at the same time, so you can work out while the kids learn and play!
- FREE (with $5 Fitness Membership)
- Thursdays, 1/12-2/16, 1:00-2:00PM
KinderKids Club: Story time, videos, music and art with our certified teacher Ms. Cindy! Fitness Hour is happening at the same time, so your kids can learn and play while you work out!
- Thursdays, 1/12-2/16, 1:00-2:00PM
Joe's Game Day (Special Needs): Come play your favorite games for participants with special needs. Have fun, be active, and maintain your fitness.
- FREE
- Wednesdays, 10:00AM-12:00PM
Special Needs Sports League: Join Coach Joe for our competitive sports league.
- Wednesdays, 12/7 - 2/22, 12:00PM – 2:00PM
Special Needs Open Gym: Coach Joe will lead participants through various exercises and games during open gym session. A great way to work out, play, and socialize.
Winter Break Camp: This camp over the holiday break will be jam-packed with fun-filled activities throughout the entire week. Have a blast at the rec with your friends! Breakfast and lunch included.
- Tuesday-Friday, 12/27 - 12/30, 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Karate: Young boys and girls will learn the basic techniques of karate from our private instructor. Older participants will have the opportunity to explore more advanced skills.
- Thursdays and Fridays, 5:00 – 7:00PM
Home School Physical Education: Coach Joe will host a course to complete Physical Education hours for homeschool students.
- Grades K – 4: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
- Grades 5 – 8: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Beginner's Archery Course: Learn the basics of archery with our certified instructor. Each day will focus on proper technique and skill development, while also playing interactive games. Children and adults welcome!
- Fridays, 1/13 - 3/3, 6:00 – 7:00PM
Day Off School Fun Camp: Enjoy your day off from school with this fun, one-day camp. Register now and tell your friends! Breakfast and lunch included.
- Monday, 1/23, 9:00AM – 3:00PM
The Ethics Hearing Board office is now open in Room 328 of the City-County Building (414 Grant Street, Downtown). The Ethics Hearing Board was established for the purpose of enforcing and educating City Officials and employees on the City of Pittsburgh's Code of Conduct ("Ethics Code").
The Ethics Code promotes public confidence in the proper operation of our local government! It mandates the independent, impartial and responsible conduct of public officials and City employees. By requiring compliance, the provisions of the Code prevent conflicts of interest that interfere with a public servant’s duties and the use of public office for financial gain. The Board will receive complaints regarding violations of the Ethics Code; investigate complaints; adjudicate and issue orders in accordance with the Code; and give advice on the application of the provisions of the Code. The Board will also conduct educational programs to promote ethical conduct of Pittsburgh public officials and employees.
If you suspect that an employee, former employee, vendor or anyone seeking to do business with the City has violated the City’s Ethics Code, or you wish to obtain advice about a future conduct, you can contact the Ethics Hearing Board by:
Anyone interested in obtaining more information about the Ethics Hearing Board, filing complaints or obtaining advisory opinions, should contact, Linda A. King, Executive Manager.
Kids in foster care are too often dropped off at a new home with no belongings or a few items tossed in a trash bag. This holiday season, please join us in providing placement bags to show dignity and worth to these kids in difficult situations. The drive runs thru Dec. 15 with over 25 drop off locations in Western PA.
In 2015, over 20,000 kids were served through the foster care system in Pennsylvania alone. The Foster Love Project provides placement bags to be given to kids at time of a placement. It’s important to give them a good quality bag to reassure them that they or their belongings are NOT disposable.
This is the 3rd year of this drive, with over 3,000 bags distributed throughout Pennsylvania over the last two years. Foster Love continues to hear from foster agencies, foster families, and most importantly, foster youth, of the importance and need for these bags.
If you'd like to assemble a bag to donate, here are the items that should be included. Please only donate complete bags—you can team up with a friend or coworkers if that's easier!
A complete FLP bag contains (new items only, tags left on):
> Duffle bag or large backpack (or zippered diaper bag for infants)
> 2 pairs of pajamas (one summer, one winter)
> Socks
> A small blanket
> Stuffed animal (or small pillow for teen bags)
> Book
> Toothbrush & toothpaste (flouride free for under 5)
> Puff & body wash (please place in ziplock)
(Please do not purchase bags from Five Below because of their poor quality zipper. Other items from there are no issue, they have a great blanket/stuffed animal combo for $5!)
OPTIONAL items that can be included if they fit and the bag can still be zipped:
-Infant: formula, diapers, bottles, pacifier, baby lotion
-Toddler to school age: hooded bath towel, underwear, wide-tooth comb, nightlight
-Teenager: feminine products, brush, deodorant, journal, small flashlight (no razors please)
-Diapers and Pull-Ups can also be left at the Drop Off Locations.
-Gift cards donations (Visa, Target, Pizza, Chick Fil A, etc…) are also appreciated to give to foster families in times of transition. Please place gift cards in a ziplock and leave them inside your FLP bag. Gift cards can also be mailed to:
Foster Love Project
c/o The Bair Foundation
3755 Library Rd # 3, Pittsburgh, PA 15234
You can also shop from home! We have an online wish list set up where you just add the items to your cart and they will be shipped directly to us. Doesn't get any easier than that! View our online list here: http://bit.ly/flpwishlist
The Love Your [Resilient] Block initiative invites organizations to submit project proposals that can transform their blocks with up to $1,500 and the support of City Departments. The grants are sponsored by Cities of Service and Peoples Gas. With these grant funds, winning groups can purchase supplies, engage their neighbors, and roll up their sleeves to build resilience in our City – block by block! Resilience is the ability for communities and residents within a city to survive, adapt and grow no matter what kinds of stresses and acute shocks they experience. You can learn more about resilience in Pittsburgh in our Preliminary Resilience Assessment available at http://apps.pittsburg
hpa.gov/cis/PRA2016_Final_version.pdf
Projects may include, but are not limited to:
1. Creating Green Spaces: Community gardens, pocket parks, public spaces, or vacant lot clean ups
2. Implementing Stormwater Capture: Rain gardens, bioswales, green bump-outs, rain barrels
3. Enhancing Parks: Painting structures, creating garden beds, picnic areas, shrub / flower planters
4. Streetscaping: Planting trees & flowers along curbs / entry-ways, sprucing up neighborhood signs
5. Removing Graffiti and Litter: Tire dumping, recycling waste, swapping graffiti for murals, etc.
6. Sprucing up of Pathways: Mulching / clearing overgrowth on trails, creating safe school “walking” bus routes
7. Emergency Preparedness: Creating emergency kits, establishing phone trees, community cohesion projects, flood protection
This City of Pittsburgh initiative was originally developed as part of servePGH, the City’s high-impact service plan to engage citizen volunteers to tackle Pittsburgh’s greatest challenges.
January 6, 2017 Application Deadline
January 27, 2017 Grantees Announced
TBD Mandatory Grantee Orientation
August 31, 2017 Deadline for Project Completion
Beechview Area Concerned Citizens
Thursday, 12/1 at 7:00 PM @ the Beechview United Presbyterian Church (1621 Broadway Avenue)
Beechview Visit with Santa & Holiday Boutique
Saturday, 12/3 9am-3pm @ the Beechview United Presbyterian Church (1621 Broadway Avenue)
SHOP LOCAL this holiday season at the 6th Annual Holiday Boutique Vendor Fair! Vendors of craft and new items for all your holiday gift giving. Beechview themed items, such as books, t-shirts and mugs will be available. Some vendors include LuLaRoe, Perfectly Posh, Avon, Articraft Handmade Crochet, Melaleuca Tea Tree Oil Products, Tupperware, Just the Right Bling, and Pink Zebra. There will be a Beechview Historical Society display, wooden handcrafted and more gift items, Grandma's Attic Christmas collectibles and decorations, basket raffles and a free door prize raffle of a ($30.00 value) Enjoy Coupon Book.
Back by popular demand this year is the Soup Sale. Homemade Potato or Beef Vegetable Soup for sale to eat-in or take home $7.00 quart-sized containers. Pre-orders are being taken so you don't miss out. Call 412-341-8768 or email beechvi...@gmail.com.
Visit with Santa from 11am-1pm will be held that day in the same location, including a free photo, craft and snack for the children. We need to know a contact phone number and names of children attending. Children must be pre-registered by calling 412-892-9688 by November 30th.
Carrick-Overbrook Block Watch Holiday Party
Monday, 12/5 at 6:30 PM @ Concord Elementary School cafeteria
Brookline Youth Baseball and Softball Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, 12/10, 8:00 AM to Noon @ St. Pius X Church Social Hall (3040 Pioneer Avenue)
Tickets are $6 at the door, and every paid entry will receive a chance to win a TV. 50/50 and Chinese Auction. Melissa Distel Photography will be on hand for pictures with Santa—many packages are available.
Brookline Block Watch
Tuesday, 12/13 at 7:00 PM @ Judge Jim Motznik's office (736 Brookline Blvd)
Christmas Day Observed, City Offices Closed
Tuesday, 12/27 ALL DAY
New Year's Day Observed, City Offices Closed
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