By Councilman Bobby Wilson

Hello everyone, At the start of the summer season, my office received numerous calls asking about the status of various water features and drinking fountains within city parks. The City has one plumber who is responsible for preparing the pools, spray parks, drinking fountains, and bathrooms along with addressing any issues that arise in recreation centers, senior centers, and any other city-owned building. One person cannot manage all of these responsibilities and these city services need to be provided for all of our residents.

After working with my colleagues on Council and the mayor’s administration, my resolution to authorize the mayor and the directors of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Department of Public Works (DPW) to enter into an agreement or agreements with licensed plumbers or plumbing firms or other entities passed on June 18. This resolution will allow the City to contract with other organizations or agencies, like the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority, to utilize their plumbers to help assist in getting water fountains and spray parks turned back on. I intend to work with OMB and DPW to see how we can increase the pay scale to hire more plumbers and be competitive with private companies.

I’m happy to share that the City’s Office of Special Events recently announced the 2024 Community Festival Program Grant Awardees. This year more than 30 local non-profit community organizations received funding to help launch and develop neighborhood- focused events. Since 1977, the Community Festival Grant Program has funded events that bring communities together to foster goodwill for their neighbors. This year’s grant awards from District 1 are Troy Hill Citizens, East Allegheny Community Council, Spring Hill Civic League, Light of Life Rescue Mission, Observatory Hill, Inc., Fineview Citizens Council, Community House Church, Mexican War Streets Society, and The Mattress Factory. Congratulations to all the award recipients!

Last month, CitiParks kicked off their Summer Food Service Program. This program provides healthy and delicious meals (breakfast, lunch, and/ or snack) through eight City of Pittsburgh Recreation Centers and over 30 partner locations. This program runs from June 24 through August 23, and is free for anyone under the age of 18 or residents with intellectual disabilities up to age 21. This service is made possible by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more details about this program, visit pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/summer-food-service-program Back in March 2024, City Council passed a resolution adopting the goal of reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries in road traffic in the City of Pittsburgh to zero and endorsing the Vision Zero strategy to achieve this goal. Recently, the City’s Department of Mobility & Infrastructure (DOMI) launched the Vision Zero Engage Page, which can be found here: engage.pittsburghpa.gov/vision-zero. The page includes action items, background information surrounding the Vision Zero movement, a High Injury Network map, and related projects that support Vision Zero. I look forward to seeing these improvements come to District 1 and the positive impacts they will have on pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist safety.

If you have any questions or concerns, call us at (412) 255-2135, email us at district1@pittsburghpa.gov, or find us on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter). My staff and I look forward to hearing from you!