City of Pittsburgh halts nonessential operations

Non-emergency city offices and buildings in the City of Pittsburgh closed at noon Monday in response to the covid-19 pandemic, which has already shuttered other public places in Allegheny County.

The closures will bring to a halt all non-essential business in the city, according to a news release.

Buildings including the City-County Building and Robin Civic Building at 200 Ross Street are closed until further notice, according to a news release.

“We will provide continuous operations throughout this crisis. City government never shuts down and public services will be offered continuously throughout this pandemic,” Mayor Bill Peduto said in a statement.

City senior centers, recreation centers, park shelters and fields are also closed until further notice. Water fountains and restrooms in city parks will be shut off. Portable toilets will be provided in these areas.

The Mellon Park Tennis Bubble and Oliver Bath House will also be closed.

All in-person permit counters will be closed, special permits won’t be issued, the city won’t participate in community meetings and all parks and recreation programming is canceled.

In-person tax help and treasurer sales, including one scheduled for April 17, are also on hold until further notice, according to the release.

City employees will be paid during the closure, the news release said.

According to the release, these services will continue:

• Police, fire and emergency medical services. Animal care and control will respond to “life safety matters only.”
• Inspections of buildings, roads, traffic lights and other infrastructure.
• Response to weather.
• Garbage and recycling collection. If it isn’t picked up on its normal collection day, residents should leave it at the curb and it will be picked up later. People are being asked to properly bag their trash to prevent the spread of disease.
• City parks will remain open, but people should stay off playground equipment because the city can’t guarantee its cleanliness.
• City council meetings will continue as planned subject to health and safety restrictions. City council meetings will be closed to the public and will be conducted via telephone. The meetings will continue to be televised on the city’s public access channel.
• The city’s departments of Planning, Permits Licenses and Inspections, and Mobility and Infrastructure will continue review of plans, issue permits and review applications. PLI and Planning permits are available online or they can be mailed to the offices. Late licensing fees will be waived. Utilities seeking right-of-way permits can use the online application form. Other permit requests can be submitted by email to DOMIpermits@pittsburghpa.gov
• 311 operators will be taking calls, but issues may not be immediately addressed.
• The city’s Office of Municipal Investigations and Commission of Human Relations will continue to take complaints.
• The city’s Finance and Office of Management and Budget functions that are essential to core city operations and payroll.
• Questions about the city’s new paid sick leave law will be collected and answered at the sick leave web site.