Commission reports $10,000 award and training, signage orders in Cook v. City of Pittsburgh Public Works

Rachel, the commission director, told commissioners the commission issued an order on March 26 in Cook v. City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works finding cause for discrimination and awarding $10,000 to the complainant for emotional and humiliation damages. "We did issue the order. Um $10,000 was awarded to the complainant uh for damages, emotional and humiliation damages," she said.

The order also awarded attorney fees via a fee petition that staff has received and directed the city to place signage on applicable city-property entrances about where dogs are permitted. The commission required that portions of the city’s anti-discrimination training be included at new-employee orientation and that public-facing Public Works employees receive de-escalation and conflict-resolution training.

Rachel said the training requirement was tied to an interpretation of the city code cited in the report: "...city employees are covered under section 65907 of the city code...when they're out engaging with the public they know what they're liable for." She said the appeal period for the March 26 order runs through April 25 and that staff is in the response period for the respondent to oppose the fee petition.

The director said the commission will update members as enforcement or appeal developments occur. No vote or new motion occurred at this meeting; the report was given as part of the director’s update.

Next steps: staff will monitor the fee petition and any appeal filings and will report back to the commission once there is further movement on enforcement or appeal outcomes.