Pittsburgh council conducts business in empty meeting chambers
Share this post:
Pittsburgh City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith said she felt self-conscious Tuesday while chairing a meeting in an empty council chamber.
Kail-Smith and city Clerk Brenda Pree had to be there to conduct the meeting. Council’s eight other members participated and voted through a conference call.
Pittsburgh on Tuesday closed the City-County Building, Downtown, as a precaution against spread of covid-19. The fifth floor council chamber was locked. Kail-Smith said city workers sanitized the room before the meeting started.
“It was so strange,” she said. “You’re more self-conscious about what you’re doing, but at the same time it was difficult to hear and it was difficult to act. It was challenging to say the least.”
The meeting was broadcast live on City Channel Pittsburgh, available on Channel 13, and the public could post comments regarding meetings through email at cityclerksoffice@pittsburghpa.gov.
Council ratified Peduto’s emergency declaration from Friday and approved other resolutions listed on Tuesday’s agenda.
Kail-Smith said she postponed votes on bills regarding the city’s controversial 0.5 mill park tax levy. One would have permitted the city to collect the tax in 2020, and the other was for the creation of a trust fund for tax revenue.
“It’s a scary time for everyone, but I think we’ll get through this together, and if people need help, we suggest that they call 211 or contact our offices, and we’ll try to do the best we can to connect them to the appropriate resources,” Kail-Smith said.
She said council would consider extending the emergency declaration scheduled to expire Friday if the Mayor’s Office feels it’s necessary.