Pittsburgh City Council approves appointments for city solicitor, public safety director

Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved Mayor Ed Gainey’s appointments for city solicitor and public safety director.

Krysia Kubiak, who previously served as director of state regulatory strategy and government affairs for Duquesne Light Company, will serve as the city solicitor. Acting Director of Public Safety Lee Schmidt, who has served in other roles in the department and has a background as a paramedic, becomes the city’s public safety director.

City Council interviewed Kubiak and Schmidt before approving their appointments.

Council President Theresa Kail-Smith said both have been introduced to their new roles through “trial by fire,” including the collapse of the city’s Fern Hollow Bridge shortly after their nominations.

“Of all the appointments that we will consider under a new administration, I believe these two are the most important,” Councilman Bruce Kraus said. “They’re very, very challenging and, at times, extremely difficult positions to hold.”

Schmidt, in his interview with City Council, said he has “always enjoyed serving the public and serving my community.”

He said he wants to increase accountability and improve communication. He said the city’s public safety department should be having conversations with the communities it serves, and be prepared to meet different needs in different neighborhoods.

He added that he thinks public safety personnel should feel safe coming forward about mistakes and concerns. He said he’d like to see proper support for the city’s first responders, and promised to try to diversify the department.

In her interview, Kubiak said, “I think public service is an honor and I am grateful that I will get the opportunity to serve the city. I think some of the things that I bring to this position is an ability to manage people, to drive a mission-driven office and to give sound legal advice.”

City Council unanimously approved both nominations.