Pittsburgh council committees approve capital adjustments, construction contracts, software extension and Riverfront license; several items held for follow-up

The standing committees of the Pittsburgh City Council on Jan. 21, 2025, recommended approval of a package of resolutions that adjust capital budgets to reflect American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations, authorize engineering and construction contracts for sidewalks and traffic studies, expand a city tax-software contract, and permit a license agreement for maintenance of the Riverfront Trails.

The actions were taken across the council's Finance and Law; Public Works and Infrastructure; Human Resources; Recreation, Youth and Senior Services; Innovation, Performance, Asset Management and Technology; and Intergovernmental and Educational Affairs committees. Most items received brief discussion and affirmative recommendations; a handful drew specific questions and at least two abstentions were recorded pending follow-up.

The most significant financial item discussed in detail was an amendment to the city's contract with CSS Inc., the vendor for the city's comprehensive tax and revenue management system. Jen Goula, director of finance and city treasurer, told the Innovation, Performance, Asset Management and Technology Committee that the vendor's system replaces two legacy systems and will include a public-facing portal for online payment. "CSS is actually our comprehensive tax payment system," Goula said. She said the city will run systems in parallel during a rollout and retain read-only access to historical data to ensure continuity as the real-estate portion is brought online. The committee approved extending the contract by $3,526,659 and extending the term for five additional years to a new total not to exceed $8,526,659.

Several transportation and pedestrian-safety items moved forward in Public Works and Infrastructure. The committee recommended approval of a professional services agreement with McCormick Taylor Inc. for the Beaver Avenue traffic study phase, not to exceed $208,315.56, reimbursable at 100 percent. It also recommended a supplemental agreement with Mackin Engineering…