Pittsburgh Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak joins a group of other young elected officials from across the country for meetings at the White House today (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) with administration officials followed by a reception with President Obama.
Rudiak says a small number of members of the People for the American Way Foundation's Young Elected Officials Network were invited to the White House to discuss important issues facing states and municipalities. She says they will be talking about the $600 million cut this year from the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) nationwide...
"We actually had to cut $2 million from our budget this year because of cuts from the federal government. So this actually means hundreds of less jobs for youths in our city."
Rudiak says she's also concerned that the federal COPS program, through which Pittsburgh receives a grant to keep police on the street, was trimmed by $296 million dollars when the federal government shutdown was threatened unless spending cuts were made. But Rudiak says it's not all about money, there are policy issues as well. She wants the administration including EPA officials to understand the environmental impact of Marcellus Shale drilling on Pennsylvania's environment.
Rudiak calls the president a steadfast ally to cities...."but it's important for the president to hear from young elected officials about programs meaningful to us. There are always things we need to make choices about and I think he needs to know what our highest priorities are.
Showing posts with label Natalia Rudiak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Natalia Rudiak. Show all posts
Friday, June 17, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sierra Club Takes Stand on Mercury Pollution
Pittsburgh Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak teamed up with the Sierra Club to push for the Environmental Protection Agency regulating mercury pollution. Rudiak, and other council members and staff submitted hair samples as part of a nationwide program by the Sierra Club to raise awareness about the dangers of mercury. The element is a neurotoxin that can be detected in human hair.
Rudiak says coal-fired power plants are the main source. "They release things like mercury and arsenic into the air. And these pollutants actually rain down into our lakes and our streams. And they are eaten by fish, which consequently, we eat as well."
Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Executive Director of Women for a Healthy Environment, says mercury is know to pose health risks. "Mercury at high levels may damage the brain, kidneys and the nervous system. Mercury in the mother's body passes to the fetus via the placenta. According to the CDC and the EPA, at least one in twelve and as many as one in six American women have enough mercury in their bodies to possibly put a baby at risk."
The EPA is considering enacting tighter regulations for mercury and other air toxins. The Sierra Club and PennFuture will be sending a bus of people to Philadelphia on May 24th to for public testimony. The Sierra Club pressed the state to begin regulating mercury in 2006, but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that it needed to be done nationally.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Parking Rates at Center of Council v. Mayor Feud
When the Pittsburgh City Council passed the 2011 budget by overriding Mayor Luke Raventsahl’s veto, it anticipated additional money from the Pittsburgh Parking Authority through higher parking rates. Those new rates have yet to go into effect and the fingers are starting to point.
The payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) from the Parking Authority is to double to $2.6 million this year and then grow to $9.3 in 2012 and beyond. Taxes from the higher would also increase the city’s revenues. It is all part of the council’s plan to shore up the city’s sagging pension fund.
The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) approved the budget, which was passed on the last day of the year, and its members are now asking if the budget will remain in balance. During a recent ICA meeting Board Chair Barbara McNees said, “ We are going to have to do some analysis on this, see where everybody is on this.”
Where they are right now is fighting. “What we’ve asked council for is kind of an outline of what they feel the appropriate rates are to meet the goals they have set forth for the budget,” said Mayor Luke Ravenstahl at a recent public event.
The council created a list of parking rate increases for use during the budget debate and as recently as last month sent it on to the mayor’s office at his request. But the numbers do not satisfy Ravenstahl. “They have given us the numbers but the data behind it doesn’t add up to the amount of money they’ve suggested, the problem is it doesn’t get us the revenue we need,” said Ravenstahl.
“I’ve not seen numerical evidence of that, I’ve not seen any financial analysis of that,” said Pittsburgh City Council Member Natalia Rudiak. “I’d like to have a real conversation about that, it sounds like a talking point, I want to see the spread sheet.” Rudiak, who is also a Parking Authority Board Member, suggests that the Council Budget Director and the Mayor’s Budget Director sit down in a room and work out the differences. Until now nearly all of the conversations have been by mail or through the media and Rudiak is upset. “We need to work together to make sure our pension fund is fully funded. I’m not playing games,” said Rudiak.
If the new rates are not approved by the board in the next few months there will not be enough time to collect the extra funds by the 4th quarter of the year when the payment is due. That means the Parking Authority would either have to find the money elsewhere to make the PILOT or the city would have to find the money in its budget.
Mayor Ravenstahl is looking to Rudiak to act as a member of the Parking Authority Board. “The Authority is the only one able to raise those rates,” said Ravenstahl. Rudiak introduced a plan to raise rates in the fall and the board rejected the idea. The mayor appoints all five members of the board.
Rudiak believes it is up to the mayor to get the new rates in place. “We as city council are a legislative body, we write legislation. The mayor and the administration are the executive body it is their job to execute whatever legislation the city council passes,” said Rudiak.
The Pittsburgh Parking Authority next meets April 21. Council will investigate the six-year budget outlook at a special meeting Tuesday.
The payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) from the Parking Authority is to double to $2.6 million this year and then grow to $9.3 in 2012 and beyond. Taxes from the higher would also increase the city’s revenues. It is all part of the council’s plan to shore up the city’s sagging pension fund.
The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) approved the budget, which was passed on the last day of the year, and its members are now asking if the budget will remain in balance. During a recent ICA meeting Board Chair Barbara McNees said, “ We are going to have to do some analysis on this, see where everybody is on this.”
Where they are right now is fighting. “What we’ve asked council for is kind of an outline of what they feel the appropriate rates are to meet the goals they have set forth for the budget,” said Mayor Luke Ravenstahl at a recent public event.
The council created a list of parking rate increases for use during the budget debate and as recently as last month sent it on to the mayor’s office at his request. But the numbers do not satisfy Ravenstahl. “They have given us the numbers but the data behind it doesn’t add up to the amount of money they’ve suggested, the problem is it doesn’t get us the revenue we need,” said Ravenstahl.
“I’ve not seen numerical evidence of that, I’ve not seen any financial analysis of that,” said Pittsburgh City Council Member Natalia Rudiak. “I’d like to have a real conversation about that, it sounds like a talking point, I want to see the spread sheet.” Rudiak, who is also a Parking Authority Board Member, suggests that the Council Budget Director and the Mayor’s Budget Director sit down in a room and work out the differences. Until now nearly all of the conversations have been by mail or through the media and Rudiak is upset. “We need to work together to make sure our pension fund is fully funded. I’m not playing games,” said Rudiak.
If the new rates are not approved by the board in the next few months there will not be enough time to collect the extra funds by the 4th quarter of the year when the payment is due. That means the Parking Authority would either have to find the money elsewhere to make the PILOT or the city would have to find the money in its budget.
Mayor Ravenstahl is looking to Rudiak to act as a member of the Parking Authority Board. “The Authority is the only one able to raise those rates,” said Ravenstahl. Rudiak introduced a plan to raise rates in the fall and the board rejected the idea. The mayor appoints all five members of the board.
Rudiak believes it is up to the mayor to get the new rates in place. “We as city council are a legislative body, we write legislation. The mayor and the administration are the executive body it is their job to execute whatever legislation the city council passes,” said Rudiak.
The Pittsburgh Parking Authority next meets April 21. Council will investigate the six-year budget outlook at a special meeting Tuesday.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Clean-Up Comes to Carrick
More than 100 volunteers are expected to descend on Carrick Saturday in the hopes of curtailing dumping in the Pittsburgh neighborhood. “Carrick is actually the most dumped on city neighborhood and one of the most dumped on areas in the entire region,” says Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak. “There has been a survey where an estimated over 100 tons of trash are scattered throughout Carrick.”
Rudiak says the number two neighborhood has about 40 tons of trash. Volunteers will gather at 9:30am at the corner of Sprucewood and Alplaus before heading out for a day of hauling out trash from dozens of hillsides, forests and ravines. “Tires and refrigerators and mufflers and construction materials… it’s a real problem,” says Rudiak. She says anyone can join in the effort.
Cleaning the community is only the first step. Rudiak says she will be meeting with Allegheny CleanWays to come up with a plan to put an end to the dumping. “We are trying to change the perception of the land. These are places to be enjoyed, these are places of nature rather than a place for someone to come in at 3 a.m. and dump all of their construction debris.” Rudiak says when you see the trash it is an “invitation for decline.” Rudiak says it is hard to prosecute dumpers because you need to catch them in the act. She is calling on residents to call 911, write down licenses plates and even take pictures when they see dumping.
Rudiak says the number two neighborhood has about 40 tons of trash. Volunteers will gather at 9:30am at the corner of Sprucewood and Alplaus before heading out for a day of hauling out trash from dozens of hillsides, forests and ravines. “Tires and refrigerators and mufflers and construction materials… it’s a real problem,” says Rudiak. She says anyone can join in the effort.
Cleaning the community is only the first step. Rudiak says she will be meeting with Allegheny CleanWays to come up with a plan to put an end to the dumping. “We are trying to change the perception of the land. These are places to be enjoyed, these are places of nature rather than a place for someone to come in at 3 a.m. and dump all of their construction debris.” Rudiak says when you see the trash it is an “invitation for decline.” Rudiak says it is hard to prosecute dumpers because you need to catch them in the act. She is calling on residents to call 911, write down licenses plates and even take pictures when they see dumping.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Envelopes of Life Distributed
Pittsburgh Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak is trying to keep seniors a bit safer in an emergency. She has been visiting senior centers and high rises for the last few weeks handing out “Envelopes of Life.” In the envelope is a form that includes lines for the senior’s name, age, medical conditions, medications, doctors and more. “In those moments when you may be in an emergency, every single second counts and when a medic or other first responder is searching around in your purse or in the vicinity for any medications that might be causing a problem, that is vital time that is lost,” says Rudiak.
The envelope comes with a sticker to go on your door to alert emergency crews to look for the envelope and a magnet to use to hang the envelope on the refrigerator. City emergency response crews are trained to look for the data and some suburban crews take part in the same training. Rudiak suggests the envelopes are not just for seniors. She has one on her fridge and thinks anyone taking medication or with a medical condition, should have one as well.
You can get an envelope by contacting Rudiak’s office (412-255-2131) or the Emergency Medical Services Headquarters (412-622-6930.) You can also download one of the forms and make your own envelope.
Rudiak will be handing out envelopes and talking about the program at the Carrick Regency at 4pm today and at Gualtieri Manor in Beechview at 2pm Thursday the 10th.
The envelope comes with a sticker to go on your door to alert emergency crews to look for the envelope and a magnet to use to hang the envelope on the refrigerator. City emergency response crews are trained to look for the data and some suburban crews take part in the same training. Rudiak suggests the envelopes are not just for seniors. She has one on her fridge and thinks anyone taking medication or with a medical condition, should have one as well.
You can get an envelope by contacting Rudiak’s office (412-255-2131) or the Emergency Medical Services Headquarters (412-622-6930.) You can also download one of the forms and make your own envelope.
Rudiak will be handing out envelopes and talking about the program at the Carrick Regency at 4pm today and at Gualtieri Manor in Beechview at 2pm Thursday the 10th.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
B-PEP, Northside Coalition Support Capital Budget Changes
Community groups gathered in Pittsburgh City Council Chambers today to show support for legislation that would reform the city’s process of appropriating capital funds.
One of Councilman Ricky Burgess’s bills would prevent the city from using federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for items that would normally be paid for with city dollars. Burgess says this practice leaves poorer communities with less than their fair share of city funding.
The Councilman says channeling the correct amount of city dollars into CDBG-recipient communities will also create a snowball effect.
“Oftentimes, private dollars and state dollars and other dollars follow city emphases and city priorities. We believe with the city making these communities a priority, you will see other dollars flowing into those poorer communities.”
Another Burgess bill would mandate a six-year plan for the city’s capital budget and require public hearings. A multi-departmental committee would oversee that process.
Speakers from the Black Political Empowerment Project and the Northside Coalition for Fair Housing voiced their support, saying these measures will bring equity to under-funded areas.
Burgess’s measures were introduced last month, but Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak proposed very similar legislation yesterday. Her bill would also mandate public hearings and create a six-year capital budget plan. In addition, it would create a committee to find unspent money left in projects that never got off the ground. However, Rudiak’s bill does not address CDBG funding.
She contends that her legislation contains better definitions and represents the consensus of Council.
“Burgess’s bills take a lot of the budgeting process out of the hands of City Council, which is elected to represent these community organizations, and it puts it in a panel that’s essentially controlled by bureaucrats.”
Burgess says despite policy differences, he’s willing to work with Rudiak.
“I feel very confident that her and I will sit down in the near future and reconcile, through conferencing, our legislation, so that we can put something together that the vast majority of Council can support.”
One of Councilman Ricky Burgess’s bills would prevent the city from using federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for items that would normally be paid for with city dollars. Burgess says this practice leaves poorer communities with less than their fair share of city funding.
The Councilman says channeling the correct amount of city dollars into CDBG-recipient communities will also create a snowball effect.
“Oftentimes, private dollars and state dollars and other dollars follow city emphases and city priorities. We believe with the city making these communities a priority, you will see other dollars flowing into those poorer communities.”
Another Burgess bill would mandate a six-year plan for the city’s capital budget and require public hearings. A multi-departmental committee would oversee that process.
Speakers from the Black Political Empowerment Project and the Northside Coalition for Fair Housing voiced their support, saying these measures will bring equity to under-funded areas.
Burgess’s measures were introduced last month, but Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak proposed very similar legislation yesterday. Her bill would also mandate public hearings and create a six-year capital budget plan. In addition, it would create a committee to find unspent money left in projects that never got off the ground. However, Rudiak’s bill does not address CDBG funding.
She contends that her legislation contains better definitions and represents the consensus of Council.
“Burgess’s bills take a lot of the budgeting process out of the hands of City Council, which is elected to represent these community organizations, and it puts it in a panel that’s essentially controlled by bureaucrats.”
Burgess says despite policy differences, he’s willing to work with Rudiak.
“I feel very confident that her and I will sit down in the near future and reconcile, through conferencing, our legislation, so that we can put something together that the vast majority of Council can support.”
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Clean Air, Water Acts Arrive at Pgh City Council
Environmental activists, union members, and several community organizations gathered outside Pittsburgh City Council Chambers today to support new legislation aimed at cleaning the city’s air and water.
Councilman Bill Peduto’s Clean Water Act of 2010 would require publicly-funded developers to try to contain storm water runoff. Its partner bill, the Clean Air Act, would mandate that diesel-powered construction vehicles be retrofitted with cleaner exhaust systems or replaced with cleaner vehicles.
Council members Bruce Kraus, Natalia Rudiak, and Doug Shields also support the bills.
Pittsburgh United Executive Director Barney Oursler says Council should have six yea votes in order to get the measures passed, because Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s administration might not back the legislation.
Oursler says his group is working to garner support for the bills in Councilman Patrick Dowd’s district.
“We’re going to keep on pushing other Council members until we get to six, seven, eight, and nine, as we did with prevailing wage,” says Oursler. “We will win, but we will only win because we work really hard and stick together.”
Service Employees International Union spokesman Sam Williamson says Pittsburgh residents deserve clean rivers and clean air.
“We deserve a government that ensures that when we use public money, taxpayers’ money, to fund private development, we’re going to make our environment cleaner, not dirtier,” says Williamson.
Councilman Bill Peduto’s Clean Water Act of 2010 would require publicly-funded developers to try to contain storm water runoff. Its partner bill, the Clean Air Act, would mandate that diesel-powered construction vehicles be retrofitted with cleaner exhaust systems or replaced with cleaner vehicles.
Council members Bruce Kraus, Natalia Rudiak, and Doug Shields also support the bills.
Pittsburgh United Executive Director Barney Oursler says Council should have six yea votes in order to get the measures passed, because Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s administration might not back the legislation.
Oursler says his group is working to garner support for the bills in Councilman Patrick Dowd’s district.
“We’re going to keep on pushing other Council members until we get to six, seven, eight, and nine, as we did with prevailing wage,” says Oursler. “We will win, but we will only win because we work really hard and stick together.”
Service Employees International Union spokesman Sam Williamson says Pittsburgh residents deserve clean rivers and clean air.
“We deserve a government that ensures that when we use public money, taxpayers’ money, to fund private development, we’re going to make our environment cleaner, not dirtier,” says Williamson.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Public Safety Director Huss Subpoenaed
Pittsburgh Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak, who chairs the Task Force on Emergency Operations and Snow Preparedness, says she has stopped inviting Public Safety Director Michael Huss to testify before council....now she's demanding he do so. Rudiak says after 7 invitations over the course of a month to interview Huss have gone unanswered, she subpoenaed him to appear before council May 10th.
“This subpoena is not a reflection on the uniformed men and woman who worked very hard during the snow storm. Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works, and our committed municipal employees worked very long hours, under dangerous circumstances, during those two weeks. We need to focus on the management of this emergency, and use the lessons learned to improve future emergency operations so we can keep our employees and residents safe.”
Rudiak's task force is investigating the city's response to the snowstorms in early February and discover what changes are necessary to improve the steps taken in future storms. She says the task force needs information on prepared the Public safety Department was prepared, the equipment and vehicles that were available and the activation of the Emergency Operations Center.
Rudiak says they've received more than 200 formal public comments through a hearing and online and other administration officials have testified.
She says this must be a collaborative effort....“One of the biggest problems during the snow storm was a lack of communication and coordination between government offices. If we can't communicate about an emergency, how can we be expected to communicate during an emergency?”
Rudiak says she had hoped to issue a final report in early May but that will now be delayed.
“This subpoena is not a reflection on the uniformed men and woman who worked very hard during the snow storm. Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works, and our committed municipal employees worked very long hours, under dangerous circumstances, during those two weeks. We need to focus on the management of this emergency, and use the lessons learned to improve future emergency operations so we can keep our employees and residents safe.”
Rudiak's task force is investigating the city's response to the snowstorms in early February and discover what changes are necessary to improve the steps taken in future storms. She says the task force needs information on prepared the Public safety Department was prepared, the equipment and vehicles that were available and the activation of the Emergency Operations Center.
Rudiak says they've received more than 200 formal public comments through a hearing and online and other administration officials have testified.
She says this must be a collaborative effort....“One of the biggest problems during the snow storm was a lack of communication and coordination between government offices. If we can't communicate about an emergency, how can we be expected to communicate during an emergency?”
Rudiak says she had hoped to issue a final report in early May but that will now be delayed.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Public Hearing for Snow Task Force
Several days after the February 5-6th snowstorm dumped more than 20 inches of snow on the Pittsburgh area, City Council created a task force to examine the delayed response in plowing many city neighborhoods.
Now Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak has announced the launch of a new website and a public hearing for the Task Force on Emergency Operations and Snow Preparedness. Rudiak says the hearing will be April 5th at 10 a.m. in council chambers.....“There are so many people who have come forward with useful and helpful information regarding the City’s snow emergency operations. We wanted to make sure that all of these people had a chance to speak on the record and contribute to the final report.”
Rudiak says for those who cannot attend the public hearing, a new website has been created where people can submit comments that will be entered into the public record at the hearing.
In addition, Rudiak said there would be a post agenda meeting in Council the last week of April to discuss preliminary findings of the snow task force with other experts. The final report is expected to be released on May 3.
Now Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak has announced the launch of a new website and a public hearing for the Task Force on Emergency Operations and Snow Preparedness. Rudiak says the hearing will be April 5th at 10 a.m. in council chambers.....“There are so many people who have come forward with useful and helpful information regarding the City’s snow emergency operations. We wanted to make sure that all of these people had a chance to speak on the record and contribute to the final report.”
Rudiak says for those who cannot attend the public hearing, a new website has been created where people can submit comments that will be entered into the public record at the hearing.
In addition, Rudiak said there would be a post agenda meeting in Council the last week of April to discuss preliminary findings of the snow task force with other experts. The final report is expected to be released on May 3.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Two New Members Join City Council
Pittsburgh City Council has two new members. Natalia Rudiak and Robert Daniel Lavelle were sworn in to office today during City Councils first meeting of the year. Rudiak takes the place of former councilman Jim Motznik who has become a district magistrate and Lavelle replaces Tonya Payne who is planning on running for a seat in the State Legislature. Rudiak was named chair of the General and Government Services committee by new Council President Darlene Harris while Lavelle has yet to decide what committee he would like to pursue. Rudiak says she wants to focus on working cooperatively with other council members and bring in development to all districts while Lavelle wants to work on reinvigorating business districts and cleaning up the city. Lavelle says the city needs to do more to ensure that every person in the city is presented with an equal opportunity regardless of where they live, their age, their race or their gender.
Harris Becomes City Council President
Pittsburgh City Council today elected a new President, Darlene Harris. Harris, who represents the 1st district was nominated by Councilman Bill Peduto who originally sought the position. Peduto says he nominated and voted for Harris because he couldn't get the 5 votes he needed to become President and he did not want the Mayor to have any more of an opportunity to manipulate the process of electing a council President. Peduto says the Mayor was calling meetings with other council members to discuss the council Presidency. Harris said she is excited to hold the position and looks forward to working cooperatively with the Mayor and rest of council. Harris also named chairs to some of City Council's committee's. Bill Peduto will chair the Finance Committee, Theresa Smith will chair the Public Safety Committee, Bruce Kraus will chair the Public Works Committee, Doug Shields will chair the Land Use and Economic Development Committee and Natalia Rudiak will chair the General and Government Services Committee. All of the people who were appointed to committee's voted for Harris as President except for Smith who was also nominated for the Presidency.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Rudiak to Join Council
Natalia Rudiak will be taking over the City Council District 4 seat held by Jim Motznik on Monday January 4th. Rudiak beat out a handful of Democratic challengers for the seat, and joins Robert Daniel Lavelle of the Hill District as newcomers on city council. Rudiak says she wants to focus on community development and isn't interested in bickering with other council members. Rudiak says she is eager to get started and wants to focus on developing the business districts in the communities she represents. Rudiak says she is going to focus her time on council on connecting with the community and fighting crime and neglect.
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