Hello everyone, Council is officially on recess during the month of August, but that doesn’t mean the work stops! I’m happy to share that my legislation to establish an Annual Fleet Investment and Efficiency Report received an affirmative recommendation and is likely to pass Council. This report, to be submitted to City Council and the Office of Management and Budget by the first of September each year, will evaluate vehicle performance, maintenance costs, and provide recommendations for strategic replacement and investment planning. The city’s fleet continues to age and we don’t really have a good grasp of the total impact this has on the delivery of public services and the city’s budget. A recent report from the Fleet Services Senior Manager indicated that 48% of the city’s fleet has exceeded its recommended life cycle, which is around 7.6 years. The longer it takes to replace or repair these vehicles, the more expensive it becomes to do so. This annual report is the first step in getting a transparent understanding of the City’s fleet.
At the end of last month, we honored Northside staple Gus & Yiayia’s and the Kalaris family with an honorary street sign, located at the corner of West Ohio and Brighton Road. For over 90 years, the iconic orange cart with the rainbow umbrella has served generations of Pittsburghers ice balls, peanuts, and popcorn. I was proud to celebrate with the family and enshrine their impact on the Northside and the city with the honorary street sign. Make sure you stop by Gus & YiaYia’s before the end of the season to grab a treat!
I encourage everyone to come out to Reggae at Riverview Park, on Aug. 2 from 1-9 p.m., at the Valley Refuge Shelter. Not only will this be the fifth year for the event, but we are also celebrating the renovation of the Valley Refuge Shelter, which is one of the park’s most popular event spaces. After allocating $110,000 towards this project in the 2024 Capital Budget, alongside the investment from the Pittsburgh Park’s Conservancy, this shelter has received a new roof, repairs to the masonry, ceiling, piers, and floor, as well as upgrades to the bathroom facilities. The official celebration will occur at 3 p.m. during the event and I look forward to seeing you all there! For more details, follow the event on Instagram at reggae_at_ riverview…