In this Issue

News & Updates

Office News

Neighborhood News

Resident Article

Overheard It

Did you Know?

Thoughts from the Office

Upcoming Community Events

Upcoming Community Meetings

News & Updates

Councilwoman Gross's Office News

Legislation Aimed to Accommodate Pregnant Employees

In September Councilwoman Gross and Councilman Gilman introduced legislation requiring the City of Pittsburgh and certain city contractors to provide reasonable accommodations for employees during pregnancy. The bill is a localized version of legislation currently stuck in the Pennsylvania Senate and includes safeguards and provisions such as providing chairs, assisting with heavy lifting, and maintaining access to drinking water for employees during pregnancy. Last week, city council voted with unanimous support passing the legislation. Read more about the bill here and here.

Negotiations with Two for the Produce Terminal

Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority in early September elected to take a compromised approach to the redevelopment of the Produce Terminal. Instead of entering into negotiations with one of the potential developers they have decided to engage with both McCaffery, Inc and Michael Rubino. Ideally, the end result will incorporate aspects from both proposals including space for housing, retail, and office as well as an area for a marketplace. Negotiations could last up to 90 days. Find more information relative to the project here.

Councilwoman Gross and the Women of City Council

On October 22^nd Councilwoman Gross will be joined by her colleagues Councilwoman Rudiak, Councilwoman Harris, and Councilwoman Kail-Smith as Pennsylvania’s Center for Women in Politics presents “A Night Out with the Women of City Council.” The event will feature a wine and cheese networking reception as well as an opportunity for the council members to share their experiences in Pennsylvania politics. It evening begins at 6:00 pm in the Mellon Board Room at Chatham University. Register to attend here.

Special Edition of Coffee with Council this Month

Councilwoman Gross's staff will be out in the district twice this month meeting with residents. A special edition of Coffee with Council has been added to the usual date in October. Staff will be available to meet and discuss issues on Monday, October 22^nd between 10am and 12pm at the Morningside Senior Center (6944 Presidents Way) and Wednesday, October 24^th between 3:30pm and 7:30 pm at the Crazy Mocha on Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield. Please do not hesitate to stop by on either date and share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas. If it is important to you it is important to us!

Public Hearing on the Capital Budget

On Wednesday, October 29^th at 6:00 pm the city is holding a hearing to allow public comment regarding the allocation of capital budget spending. It is an opportunity to voice your opinion on where and how the money should be spent. The capital budget is used to build, maintain, and renovate city assets such as roads, bridges, and buildings. Feel free to contact the office if you would like assistance in crafting the message you would like to present. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm at the Morningside Senior Center, 6944 Presidents Way. Register to speak ahead of time by contacting Jennifer Sample Presutti at 412-255-2640 or jennifer.sample@pittsburghpa.gov.

News from the Neighborhood

University of Pittsburgh Pitches In to Help Out

Each year the University of Pittsburgh pitches in and provides the city with 3,000 student volunteers! Pitt Make a Difference Day is in its 7^th year and will be occurring on October 18^th between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. Last year over 65 communities were reached by student-volunteers as they assisted with park clean-ups, neighborhood re-painting, and more! Keep an eye out for volunteer projects occurring throughout the district as Pitt students work side by side with community organizations and residents.

STEAM Voted for Woolslair

Pittsburgh’s smallest city school, Woolslair, is scheduled to be repurposed into a partial magnet school for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math beginning with the 2015-2016 school year. The Pittsburgh Board of Public Education voted 8-1 for its approval earlier this month. The exciting news is the result of countless hours spent researching and advocating by school parents, teachers, and community members over the last year. Councilwoman Gross and other public education advocates feel optimistic and hopeful for the school and the potential stemming from this possibility. Find more information here.

Help in Creating More Livable Streets in Bloomfield

The Bloomfield Livable Streets committee held its inaugural meeting this September. The group is designed to allow Bloomfield residents to organize and advocate for safer streets for pedestrians and bicyclists. Potential projects are still being discussed and all are welcome to join in on the conversation. The meetings are held every month on the fourth Tuesday with next one scheduled for October 28^th at 6:00 pm at the East End Book Exchange.

Upgrade for Lawrenceville Parks

Improvement and upgrade plans are coming to Arsenal and Leslie Parks in Lawrenceville. The initial proposal was designed for Arsenal Park, but through a collaborated effort between the Pittsburgh Park Conservancy, Lawrenceville United, Lawrenceville Corporation , Friends of Arsenal Park, and the Leslie Park Collective the new plan will incorporate both parks with hopes of producing the greatest benefit while utilizing the neighborhood’s limited green space. Read more about it here.

District 7 Farmer’s Market Updates

Bloomfield’s Saturday Market is now able to accept SNAP benefits! Besides offering access for EBT users the market can now handle credit and debit cards, too. Visit the red information tent when you arrive at the market for more information.

The Lawrenceville Farmer’s Market has moved locations! For the rest of the season between 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm shop for local and fresh produce at the Allegheny Valley Bank parking lot on Butler Street. Continue to enjoy all the great festivities and vendors!

Celebrate Halloween with the Pooch!

The 3^rd Annual BARKtoberfest is scheduled for October 11^th between 11 am and 3 pm. Enjoy live entertainment, a dog costume contest, professional pet photography, and dog yoga. The event will be held at 24^th Street and Penn Avenue. Proceeds benefit the Animal Rescue League and Neighbors in the Strip.

Stanton Heights Neighborhood Association Happy Hour!

Beginning this week the Stanton Heights Neighborhood Association will be holding a monthly happy hour to help connect neighbors to each other and provide a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to discuss ideas and thoughts about the neighborhood. Enjoy the opportunity to have a drink, connect with neighbors, and discuss the future of Stanton Heights at the Bulldog Pub, 1818 Morningside Avenue, starting at 5:30 pm on Thursday, October 9^th. For more info visit the Stanton Heights Neighborhood Association.

Enjoy National Pierogi Day and support the PHCA!

Rock Bottom Brewery will be hosting an all-you-can-eat pierogi, sauerkraut, and kielbasa buffet between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm on October 8^th in honor of National Pierogi Day. Proceeds from the dinner will go towards the Polish Hill Civic Association. Celebrate the day and support a great community organization!

Celebrate Community with Police Zone 5

On October 11^th join residents of Police Zone 5 for a day dedicated to rejoicing in community! Enjoy live entertainment and food while celebrating life, unity, and togetherness. The event will be held between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm at the corner of Bennett and Conemaugh Street (across from Crescent School).

ACHD’s “Our Health, Our Voice”

The Allegheny County Health Department has been having community meetings over the last month to assist in spreading information regarding the health of our communities. Thirteen meetings in total will occur corresponding with each of the 13 county council districts. The meetings will be used to help the ACHD develop a county-wide community health improvement plan. More information and the data being presented at these meetings can be found here.

Resident Article

Record Turnout for Morningside Mile!

--Alana Rykala Delaney of Morningside

Morningside hosted the 4th Annual Morningside Mile on September 13, 2014. This year the race had close to 200 participants register for the event - the biggest turnout to date! And every year, the race honors one individual from the Morningside area who has bravely and unselfishly served our country and/or its citizens. This year, the tribute was given to Frances Colletto. Morningside thanked Mrs. Colletto and her family for their sacrifices for our country and our city. Mrs. Colletto’s only son, Albert V. Colletto, Jr., was killed in action August 12, 1969. When she learned her son was killed in Vietnam, Mrs. Colletto started volunteering with the American Gold Star Mothers, a nonprofit service and support group for mothers of children who died in the military, and even became the president of the Allegheny County Chapter. The oldest registered Gold Star Mother in Pennsylvania and perhaps the nation, Frances DeCiancio Colletto died on Thursday, January 2, 2014 . She was 99.

The committee will be presenting a check to the Gold Star Mothers - Allegheny County Chapter on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 7:00PM at the Morningside VFW (1820 Morningside Ave). Everyone is welcome to attend; please plan on stopping by!

Overheard It

"Our health is more than just statistics. How do we use this knowledge to improve our communities? Everything is connected and we need to be addressing these issues as residents, communities, and organizations."

--ACHD "Our Voice, Our Health" Community Meeting

"We need to be developing better ways to engage our youth. We can not rely solely on the police to help with crime."

--Public Safety Council Zone 5

Did you Know?

The first drive in filling station was established in Pittsburgh. Choosing this location was a well-calculated move as Baum Boulevard at the time was known as "automobile row." Find more information about it here.

Thoughts from the Office

Assist in Advocating for 2015 Street Paving

Since taking office in December of last year, I’ve heard countless requests from constituents for an increase in paving activities throughout District 7, as well as questions from residents and community groups about how streets are selected to be repaved, and, unfortunately, feelings of frustration about vital streets that have gone unpaved and under-maintained for far too long.

Pittsburgh has nearly 900 miles of streets, of which over 500 miles are in dire need of repair. The Department of Public Works has a scale that measures, from 0-100, the “health” of each of our streets, allowing DPW to prioritize its paving activity. Many may find it unsurprising that, according to data compiled by DPW, 56% of City streets are scored “0” on that scale, with three quarters of all City roads classified as “very poor” marked by a rating under 24 on the 100 point scale.

This means that over 50% of our city streets receive a failing grade on our own rating scale. Unfortunately, only 37 miles of streets were paved this year.

This neglect is due in part to cuts made to the City’s capital budget - the budget that the City uses for to plan and fund paving, building maintenance, and other general infrastructure maintenance. When the City entered Act 47 status in 2004, measures were taken to drastically limit City services. With our City currently well on the road to financial recovery, my colleagues on City Council and I voted to pass a $55 million bond in July of this year - the first city borrowing in 15 years - to fund infrastructure maintenance and improvements.

This bond package will fund seriously needed capital improvements, especially paving our roads. This funding will also improve bridges and public buildings that haven’t had the needed maintenance in over a decade.

In conjunction with these infrastructure efforts, my aim is to work from the ground up, connecting residents in our neighborhoods to city processes.

With that in mind, I’ve been working to gather input from District 7 constituents about what roads they believe are the worst-of-the-worst, requiring immediate attention. These conversations have happened in VFW’s, church basements, block parties, and on the commercial avenues of District 7 neighborhoods. In addition, my office tracks your calls, emails, and requests on all issues, including paving requests and potholes, allowing me to provide records of your requests to DPW and the Mayor’s Office and advocate clearly on your behalf.

But there is still opportunity for you to provide input. Please call the office at (412-255-2140) or e-mail us (district7@pittsburghpa.gov) to voice your opinions, thoughts, and tell us about that street on your commute to work or on the way to the kids’ school that still hasn’t been paved and needs attention next summer.

I cannot promise that all of our streets in need will be repaved, but I promise to advocate on your behalf.

Sincerely,

Deb