Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the City Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Finance committee advances library grant, park improvements, budget tools and routine payments
Summary
The finance committee gave affirmative recommendations for multiple items including a $400,000 grant application to replace HVAC and roof at the Squirrel Hill Carnegie Library branch, reallocated capital dollars to convert tennis courts to pickleball, approvals for p‑card payments and extensions of budgeting and public engagement tools.
The finance and law committee and related standing committees advanced multiple routine and programmatic items on May 13, approving grant applications, contract extensions and administrative payments.
Library grant: The committee approved Bill 4‑48, a resolution authorizing the mayor and finance director to apply for a Keystone Recreation Park and Conservation Fund grant through the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries to replace HVAC and roofing at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill branch in an amount not to exceed $400,000.
Parks and facilities: Bill 4‑49 amended the 2023 capital program to shift roughly $143,966.12 out of park reconstruction and move money into facility improvements for sports facilities, including work in Banksville Park to refinish tennis courts for conversion to pickleball courts and to refinish basketball courts. Dan Gilman, chief of staff, said the funds come from completed and closed capital projects rather than cutting active projects.
Administrative payments and p‑cards: The committee approved routine invoices and a P‑card payment that included an approximately $11,000 charge required by state rules. Members voted to waive rules to allow a $5,000 overage and then approved the P‑card action.
Budget and engagement software: The committee approved Bill 4‑40, extending a subscription with Unisolutions Inc. (Questica) for budgeting and performance management with an added $286,739.58 (new nine‑year total not to exceed $785,864.58). Office of Management and Budget staff said the system holds operating and capital budgets and that the city will review whether to absorb the tools into a future ERP replacement. The committee also approved a one‑year extension of a citizen engagement tool suite (Balancing Act/Policy Confluence) for $13,000 to a four‑year total not to exceed $52,000; staff said the tools are useful for public budget forums and that the city is exploring in‑house alternatives.
Outcome: All items received affirmative recommendations in committee and will move forward to the next steps in the council process.
