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Council to expand LGBTQIA+ protections, deer population controls, and funding for police recruitment,—City Council Week of July 7

Update

  • Councilperson Charland’s bill that would have allowed inclusionary zoning to be a neighborhood’s discretion did not pass final vote.
  • Against adopting the bill: Councilpersons Gross, Kail-Smith, Lavelle, Mosley, Strassberger, Warwick, Wilson
  • For adopting the bill: Councilpersons Charland and Coghill

City Council

Additional protections for LGBTQIA+ residents.

Council voted in favor of adding LGBTQIA+ people as a protected class in the city code. The bill also makes it a low priority to enforce state and federal laws that criminalize parts of LGBTQIA+ identities. That includes laws on drag performance, Pride flags, and restroom use. It's a response to growing threats to LGBTQIA+ civil rights at UPMC, in some states, and federally.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Council voted in favor of amending the Regulated Rights and Actions article of the City Code to reflect LGBTQIA+ people as a protected class.
  • The bill de-prioritizes enforcement of future/existing state and federal laws that criminalize aspects of LGBTQIA+ identities.
  • Examples include drag performance, display of Pride flags, gender-affirming restroom usage, sports participation that correlates with gender identity and legal identification that reflects gender identity and chosen name
  • The bill is in response to increasing threats to LGBTQIA+ people’s civil rights locally at UPMC, in individual states and federally

City Council

Continuing white-tailed deer management.

The city says its deer herd has outgrown its food supply, and car-deer crashes are up. This year, targeted culling expands from last year's pilot in Frick and Riverview Parks to all Allegheny Regional Asset District parks. Those parks close at night for the sharpshooters. Council advanced about $99,500 for one year of the program.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • The City will complete the expansion of its white-tailed deer management program this year according to Chief Operating Officer Lisa Frank.
  • Last year, the City piloted a targeted harvesting program in Frick and Riverview Parks.
  • This closes parks at night for sharpshooters.
  • This year, targeted harvesting will now happen in all Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) parks.
  • Archers will continue to be used in all parks.
  • According to the City’s website, the deer population has grown beyond their available food source. There has also been an increase in car-deer collisions.
  • The deer population doubles every 2-3 years.
  • Deer are the primary hosts of Lyme-disease-carry ticks.
  • The Pennsylvania Tick Research Lab recorded approximately two and a half times more ticks this May compared to the same time last year.
  • The program is in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture. Council affirmatively recommended the Department of Public Safety’s request for $99,494.05 for one year of funding.

City Council

$40,000 for person-to-person police recruitment.

The police academy hasn't had a full class of 40 recruits since before the pandemic. A $40,000 request would pay for sales-style training for police recruiters. A city official said applications have risen to about 100 a month, crediting the bureau's full-time recruiters. Grant money the city already received would cover the cost.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Advanced Recruiting Bootcamp takes a sales strategy and includes six overarching subjects. Among them, emotional intelligence, strategic lead generation and negotiation and persuasion skills.
  • Director of Public Safety Schmidt reported that the Bureau of Police now has two full-time recruitment officers.
  • Chief of Staff Palermo said they have been averaging around 100 applications per month. He attributes this increase to the recruiters.
  • Recruitment techniques include approaching people at coffee shops and gyms rather than just participating in career fairs.
  • Applicants must pass the civil service exam as well as a physical fitness exam before beginning classes. Director Schmidt said approximately half the people who take the fitness exam fail.
  • Academy classes are capped at 40 participants. They offer three classes per year.
  • There has not been a full class of 40 since prior to the pandemic.
  • 120 new officers per year will outpace the number of officers who retire or otherwise leave.
  • The $40,000 request will be met with previously received grant funds, of which another $38,172 has already been used toward recruitment training.