There's a lively discussion of the "Your Move" E-mails over on the Burgh Report.
Here's what I posted there in answer to some readers' questions about the authenticity of the e-mails and the positions of various council members.
The e-mails were not obtained from anyone who hacked into the city's or the Penguins' servers; that is to say, they came from a participant in the electronic conversation. The mayor's chief of staff confirmed the authenticity of the e-mails when I reviewed their contents with him by phone. That said, confirming that the e-mails were authentic doesn't mean that any one or all of the authors' e-mails are gospel. The authors are speaking their understanding of the facts, the law and of other parties' positions. They be correct or incorrect in their understanding on any given point.
When I interviewed Councilman Dowd on Wednesday, he told me that the first he heard about the banners was in a phone call from the mayor's chief of staff around eight Friday night, asking if he would support them. Dowd told me his response was to request more information--that he wasn't able to take a position either way without learning more. Dowd's quote didn't make it into the news that day because the focus was on trying to learn who was opposed, not who was neutral.
On that same Wednesday:
Councilman Kraus said that he had not taken a position on the banners and
Councilman Burgess said he was in support of finding a way to put them up.
Also on Wednesday:
Councilman Motznik said he supported putting up the banners, but insisted the mayor's office had never informed him of the proposal.
Councilman Deasy said he was in support of the banners.
I did not have the opportunity to ask Councilwomen Harris or Payne their positions.
In response to the comment by Anonymous 05/24/08 12:49 pm on the Burgh Report:
I never heard Mayor Ravenstahl say that "there was only one councilman who had issues".
On Wednesday said there were "a couple". On that same day, Councilmen Shields and Peduto said they were not opposed to putting the banners, and said they told the administration they would cooperate in supporting a way to do so legally.
On Thursday, the Mayor reaffirmed his claim that there were council members opposed to putting up the banners. He also said that he believed the public remarks by the council members on Wednesday showed that they were opposed. In that Thursday interview, for the first time I heard the mayor say that he wanted support from council to have been "unanimous". Also, for the first time he said that council would have had to repeal the moratorium on new billboards in Pittsburgh. A repeal of the moratorium was not discussed in the e-mails.
Moments later, other reporters and I sought responses from Shields and Peduto. They reaffirmed they hadn't opposed putting up the banners--and said they had recommended ways to do so in a meeting late Monday afternoon with members of the Ravenstahl administration.
Showing posts with label Ravenstahl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ravenstahl. Show all posts
Saturday, May 24, 2008
"Your Move" E-Mails Chatter
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Friday, May 23, 2008
Penguins Banners Bonus Feature
Simulation by WTAE Channel 4 Action News ArtistClick here for the "Penguins Banners? The 'Your Move' E-Mails" post.
If you'd like to read the entire sequence of e-mails on which the story is based, click the "Read More..." link below.
I've removed the e-mail addresses of participants and added a few annotations. The following sequence was reconstructed from many separate e-mail exchanges, then placed in chronological order. The source material was in the reverse-order that's common in ongoing e-mail conversations. Typos from the e-mails have been left as is. Some of those taking part were apparently thumb-typing on their BlackBerries, which tends to result in more typing errors.
Again, if you're interested, click the "Read More..." link in the left hand corner, below.
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-----Original Message-----
From: Ismail, Noor
To: Tymoczko, Susan
CC: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Fri May 16 14:01:35 2008
Subject: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Susan,
I will follow this e-mail up with a call. A quick question for you. Penguins want to put up massive banners/signs for the arena to coincide with the games. The banners/signs may be equivalent to the Cleveland Stadium of LeBron James - it may depict a sponsor(s) such as Reebok, Nike etc.
Please call Ross Johnson at [----] and find out more about what they proposed to do - I am uncertain again whether this is temporary or permanent. Please walk them through the process, if possible. Time is of the essence for them given the pending games - and they would be interested to know what would be the fastest and quickest way to get this done. Keep both Yarone and me posted on the outcome. Thank you.
Noor Ismail, AICP
Director
Department of City Planning
City of Pittsburgh
-----Original Message-----
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 2:05 PM
To: Ismail, Noor; Tymoczko, Susan; [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Thank you very much. These will be temporary and his name is Ross Johnson, not Miller as I previously stated.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tymoczko, Susan
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 3:18 PM
To: Zober, Yarone; Ismail, Noor; David Morehouse
Cc: Ross Miller
Subject: RE: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
I've spoken with Ross Miller. The current proposal is for two, 40 ft. x 100 ft. banners on private property each showing a player with a corporate logo as well; each to be located on a downtown building. I've requested to see a copy of the artwork; for the permit application we will also require the exact street address and a letter from the property owner authorizing the application. We have no provision in the Zoning Code for temporary signs of this type, and in the past we have sent similar proposals to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Once I see the artwork I can make a determination on the type of permit that will be required.
Susan
-----Original Message-----
From: Ross Miller [Pittsburgh Penguins]
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 4:19 PM
To: Tymoczko, Susan; Zober, Yarone; Ismail, Noor; David Morehouse
Subject: RE: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Please find the banner images attached. The final size of each will be 40ft wide x 85ft high. The images will be printed on Ultra Flex Ultra Mesh Lightweight Supreme material. I am in the process of obtaining a swatch now and will share with the property owners as well as the city.
It is a perforated material that will allow light in and tenants can see out from inside the building. The installer has experience working with this material.
I have spoken with the property owner of PPG Place and we are doing a site inspection on Monday morning with the installer. They will provide an authorization letter and I will obtain the other necessities at that time.
Still waiting to hear back from Fifth Ave. Place...will keep everyone posted.
Ross Miller
Pittsburgh Penguins
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 4:26 PM
To: Shields, Doug
Subject: Fw: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
As per our discussions. This may be happening, with proper approvals and process. Will need your help.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tymoczko, Susan
To: 'Ross Miller'; Zober, Yarone; Ismail, Noor; David Morehouse
CC: Specter, George; Baumiller, Lawrence
Sent: Fri May 16 17:27:31 2008
Subject: RE: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Reviewing the proposed artwork and given the amount of advertising copy included, I cannot say that these are approvable. There is presently a moratorium in place that prohibits approval of new advertising signage; given this circumstance I would suggest consideration of revision to the proposed artwork. I've just spoken with Ross and David, and they are proceeding with some changes.
Susan
----- Original Message -----
From: Zober, Yarone
To: Tymoczko, Susan ; Ross Miller; Ismail, Noor ; David Morehouse
Cc: Specter, George ; Baumiller, Lawrence ; Shields, Doug
Sent: Fri May 16 17:42:23 2008
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
If the moratorium is the greatest of the concerns, I would repectfully ask Council to lift the moratorium with respect to these festive banners. I have spoken with President Shields about this and he seemed to be in general support, though he should be contacted to dicsuss their concerns.
From: Tymoczko, Susan
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 6:12 PM
To: Zober, Yarone; Ross Miller [Pittsburgh Penguins]; Ismail, Noor; [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]
Cc: Specter, George; Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug
Subject: RE: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Just a reminder, in addition to the moratorium issue, new advertising signage is presently not permitted downtown. I'd like to be able to see what's going to be proposed.
Susan
-----Original Message-----
From: David Morehouse
To: Zober, Yarone; Tymoczko, Susan; Ross Miller ; Ismail, Noor
CC: Specter, George; Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug
Sent: Fri May 16 18:34:33 2008
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Just heard from Reebok and they said they are pulling out and the substantial investment from them is not worth it without their copy and that with the short window, they can't afford bureaucratic processes.
This is a shame and I can't believe we can't make this work.
I am very frustrated with this process.
----- Original Message -----
From: Zober, Yarone
To: David Morehouse; Tymoczko, Susan ; Ross Miller; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George ; Baumiller, Lawrence ; Shields, Doug
Sent: Fri May 16 18:54:07 2008
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Just spoke to Council Pres Shields. If we can come up with a collective quick solution, we will have all the support we need from both branches of City government and nobody will be caught up in a sign-gate.
-----Original Message-----
From: David Morehouse
To: Zober, Yarone; Tymoczko, Susan; Ross Miller; Ismail, Noor
CC: Specter, George; Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug
Sent: Fri May 16 18:59:36 2008
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
What is the solution?
-----Original Message-----
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:04 PM
To: [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]; Tymoczko, Susan; Ross Miller [Pittsburgh Penguins]; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George; Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Here it goes:
We need the law department to agree that by introducing an ordinance, zoning can rely on the introduction as law,
We need a majority of council (which we would have with pres Shields on board) to provide support for the ordinance as soon as tonight so that the sign can be manufactured,
We need an ordinance that effectively says: for the 2008 stanley cup playoffs, the following signs shall be approved.
If Law and Council ok this process, everyone should be on good solid ground to say that pens can proceed with production for installation when?
Need shields and law to sign on now.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tymoczko, Susan
To: Zober, Yarone; [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins] ; Ross Miller [Pittsburgh Penguins] ; Ismail, Noor
CC: Specter, George; Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug
Sent: Fri May 16 19:15:07 2008
Subject: RE: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Would it be possible to do an ordinance that exempts these particular signs from zoning approval? They would still need to get building permits for the installation.
-----Original Message-----
From: Shields, Doug
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:17 PM
To: Tymoczko, Susan
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Why not do this relevant to the sites.IIe stadium areas. Also couched in terms of "temporay" banners.
-----Original Message-----
From: Shields, Doug
To: [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins] ; Zober, Yarone; Tymoczko, Susan; Ross Miller [Pittsburgh Penguins]
CC: Specter, George; Baumiller, Lawrence
Sent: Fri May 16 19:18:16 2008
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
I think instead of zoning maybe we go with temporay banners.
From: Tymoczko, Susan
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:21 PM
To: Shields, Doug
Subject: RE: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Do you mean, these signs are to be permitted around the sports stadiums? These are to go on other buildings downtown. Larry Baumiller will call you.
-----Original Message-----
From: Shields, Doug
Sent: Fri 5/16/2008 7:22 PM
To: [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]; Zober, Yarone; Tymoczko, Susan; 'miller'; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George; Baumiller, Lawrence
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
I tink zoning is not going to get this done due to time associated from moving zoning law
What have we in the code on banners? We give permits for all sorts of banners. They a re for the most part non profits but we can amend to allow for our sports teams. The city has an equity stake in all of them that's for sure
This is on the books and can be amended more readily than zone changes. Susan?
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:23 PM
To: Shields, Doug; [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]; Tymoczko, Susan;
'miller'; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George; Baumiller, Lawrence
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Whatever works for you and at least four of your colleagues works for us. Susan and Larry have both indicated their approval if Council is on board.
From: Baumiller, Lawrence
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:23 PM
To: Shields, Doug; [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]; Zober, Yarone;
Tymoczko, Susan; 'miller'; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Subject: RE: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
I think that Yarone and I have worked this out. What we can do is propose an amendment to the Zoning Code on Tuesday allowing "large temporary banners for regional events" and exempt them from the current sign moratorium. Since the signs are temporary, we can refrain from placing sign limitations on the banners.
This legislation will take effect immediately because of the pending ordinance doctrine associated with Zoning Code Amendments. I am on board as long as City Council agrees to pull the legislation after the Stanley Cup finals are over. That way, we won't have any lingering issues.
My cell number is [----] if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Larry
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:25 PM
To: Shields, Doug
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Larry has also cited the fact that it can move ahead if council introduces legislation under the pending legislation doctrine- once introduced, it has the force of law. By the time for final vote, the issue will be moot and the legislation can be tabled.
From: Tymoczko, Susan
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:27 PM
To: Shields, Doug; [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]; Zober, Yarone;
'miller'; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George; Baumiller, Lawrence
Subject: RE: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
A lot of the banners are in the rights-of-way and therefore not subject to zoning - there are separate rules for them, not in our code. Longer term, we should probably get something into the zoning code that addresses temporary banners with sponsorship.
From: Ismail, Noor
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:29 PM
To: Shields, Doug
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
This has advertisement Ûn it and advertising signs are prohibited downtown. Susan and Larry were trying to work this out but the sponsors would not agree to this. Again the moratorium adds another layer to this. Susan is Ûn board if there is a way to address this legally
-----Original Message-----
From: Tymoczko, Susan
Sent: Fri 5/16/2008 7:30 PM
To: Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug; [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]; Zober, Yarone; 'miller'; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Subject: RE: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
I think it sounds like the best solution.
Susan
From: Baumiller, Lawrence
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:32 PM
To: Tymoczko, Susan; Shields, Doug; [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins];
Zober, Yarone; 'miller'; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Subject: RE: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Actually, we could probably put a 30 day sunset provision in the legislation.
----- Original Message -----
From: Zober, Yarone
To: Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug ; David Morehouse; Tymoczko, Susan ; Ross Miller; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Sent: Fri May 16 19:32:58 2008
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
With Pres' support, we can make this happen. A penguins nation turns its lonely eyes to you. Woo hoo hoo. What say the Pres?
-----Original Message-----
From: David Morehouse
To: Zober, Yarone; Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug; Tymoczko, Susan; Ross Miller; Ismail, Noor
CC: Specter, George
Sent: Fri May 16 19:35:35 2008
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Yes. So now I can call them and tell them it's a go?
From: Baumiller, Lawrence
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:36 PM
To: [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]; Zober, Yarone; Shields, Doug;
Tymoczko, Susan; 'miller'; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Let's wait for a yes from Shields.
Lawrence H. Baumiller
Assistant City Solicitor
Sent via BlackBerry
----- Original Message -----
From: Zober, Yarone
To: David Morehouse; Baumiller, Lawrence ; Shields, Doug ; Tymoczko, Susan ; Ross Miller; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Sent: Fri May 16 19:41:38 2008
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
The other prez- Council prez...
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 7:43 PM
To: Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug; Tymoczko, Susan; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Just spoke to Dowd who raised "issues". If we have Pres Shields in Pittsburgh's corner, then we can do this. If not, we can't.
-----Original Message-----
From: David Morehouse
To: Zober, Yarone; Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug; Tymoczko, Susan; Ross Miller; Ismail, Noor
CC: Specter, George
Sent: Fri May 16 20:47:49 2008
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Any confirmation yet? Printer is on hold and reebok is waiting.
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 9:00 PM
To: [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]; Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields,
Doug; Tymoczko, Susan; rmiller'; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
President Shields' phone cut out. Still awaiting final answer.
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 9:44 PM
To: [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]; Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields,
Doug; Tymoczko, Susan; 'miller'; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Lost Doug Shields. Can't proceed without knowing that he is giving go ahead.
-----Original Message-----
From: Zober, Yarone
To: [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins] ; Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug; Tymoczko, Susan; 'miller' ; Ismail, Noor
CC: Specter, George
Sent: Fri May 16 21:59:32 2008
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Its a go from Council Prez Shields. He will confirm by email in next ten minutes. Good work everyone.
----- Original Message -----
From: Shields, Doug
To: Zober, Yarone ; David Morehouse; Baumiller, Lawrence ; Tymoczko, Susan ; Ross Miller; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Sent: Fri May 16 22:00:40 2008
Subject: [SPAM] Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
To confirm mr zober. Yes we wil find a way
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 10:01 PM
To: Baumiller, Lawrence; Shields, Doug; Tymoczko, Susan; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
All right! Now we have to get an ordinance drafted ASAP. Larry or Susan- when can we get this done and what percent of banner is ad space?
From: Baumiller, Lawrence
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 10:01 PM
To: Zober, Yarone; [David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]; Shields, Doug;
Tymoczko, Susan; 'miller'; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Very good.
Lawrence H. Baumiller
Assistant City Solicitor
Sent via BlackBerry
From: David Morehouse
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 10:10 PM
To: Shields, Doug; Zober, Yarone; Baumiller, Lawrence; Tymoczko, Susan;
Ross Miller; Ismail, Noor
Cc: Specter, George
Subject: Re: [SPAM] Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Great! Now all we have to do is beat Philly. I'll tell Rebok it's a go and on behalf of Penguins fans, I thank all of you. If we are fortunate enough to make the finals, I think this will make pgh look great.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tymoczko, Susan
To: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Fri May 16 22:22:36 2008
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
They estimated that it was about 2.5 percent, for the reebock only.
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 10:23 PM
To: Tymoczko, Susan; Shields, Doug
Subject: Re: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
Great.
[Reporters note: the next e-mail is in response to the earlier Friday, May 16, 7:32 PM message suggesting a 30 day sunset provision in the legislation.]
From: Specter, George
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2008 11:00 AM
To: Baumiller, Lawrence; Tymoczko, Susan; Shields, Doug;
[David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Penguins]; Zober, Yarone;
'miller'; Ismail, Noor
Subject: RE: Banners/Signs Question - for the Arena
That is too long. It should definitely terminate after the Penguins' last game. Of course, there is the long-standing Pittsburgh problem, i.e., if they win the Stanley Cup, people will want to leave them up until at least after the Steelers' first game.
[Reporter's note: the following e-mail is from the mayor's acting press secretary Joanna Doven to Chief of Staff Yarone Zober. It appears to convey a question from a reporter.]
-----Original Message-----
From: Doven, Joanna
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:09 AM
To: Zober, Yarone
Subject: A.Gastmeyer Inquiry
How did the city get around letting the Penguins putting up a huge rally banner at 5th avenue place, with “reebok” all over it? What are the Mayor’s thoughts after the lamar issue?
Joanna Doven
Communications
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 9:13 AM
To: 'David Morehouse'; Mazefsky, Gabe; Shields, Doug
Cc: Baumiller, Lawrence; Specter, George; Ismail, Noor; Tymoczko, Susan
Subject: FW: A.Gastmeyer Inquiry
We’re going to pull the plug on the banner efforts. Even talking to Council has caused the following stories. Sorry for everyone’s time and effort. Maybe something like this could be done outside the City, where people know the value of Pittsburgh Pride over politics. Go Pens!
From: Zober, Yarone
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 10:32 AM
To: Burgess, Reverend; Shields, Doug; Specter, George; Ismail, Noor; Tymoczko, Susan; Baumiller, Lawrence
Cc: Mazefsky, Gabe
Subject: Thanks for efforts on banners
Ultimately, the City should probably have legislation that provides broader powers to suspend rules for temporary banners in the even of unanticipated good news for Pittsburgh (superbowl wins, Stanley cup, ticker tape parades (?), world series victories. Just kidding about the world series victories). Ultimately, this could have been fun, but not worth it on a fast track with a sensitive issue.
Yarone Zober
Chief of Staff
Office of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl
City of Pittsburgh
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Penguins Banners? The "Your Move" E-Mails
E-mails between the Mayor's Chief of Staff, The President of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the President of City Council shed new light on the banners controversy.
Here's a link to video of my Channel 4 Action News report. The following is an expanded version of the TV story.
With Reebok logos written large, these are the 85 by 40 foot Penguins banners that would have been.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is again blaming council, saying opposition there is to blame for the plan falling through:
"Either it was something that they were going to approve or they weren't. To me it was that cut and dry, because of the time associated with it. And we couldn't build that consensus, so it wasn't submitted."
Doug Shields, Council President responds:
"Mr. Peduto and I gave them like three different ways that they would probably get passage of it and that we would support. We made that clear."
Channel 4 Action News artists show here, how the banners could have looked on Fifth Avenue Place, spanning seven stories.
E-mails obtained by Channel 4 Action News show city bureaucrats, not City Council raising red flags about the banners. The following messages were back of a lengthy exchange running from 2 PM to after 10:00 PM last Friday.
The Mayor's Zoning Administrator, Susan Tymoczko:
"Given the amount of advertising copy included, I cannot say that these are approvable".
The Mayor's Planning Director Noor Ismail:
"This has advertising on it and (new) advertising signs are prohibited downtown."
After that, Penguins President David Morehouse e-mailed the mayor's office:
"Just heard from Reebok and they said they are pulling out...
The substantial investment from them is not worth it without their copy."
Morehouse also wrote:
"This is a shame and I can't believe we can't make this work. I am very frustrated with this process."
Shields e-mailed:
"We give permits for all sorts of banners ... We can amend to allow for our sports teams."
Concerning City Council, the mayor's own Chief of Staff Yarone Zober e-mailed at 10 PM Friday:
"It's a go from Council Prez Shields He will confirm by email in the next ten minutes. Good work, everyone."".
Shields e-mailed back:
"To confirm, Mr. Zober. Yes, we will find a way."
At 9:13 AM Tuesday, after news media began asking questions, Zober e-mailed to Penguins:
"We're going to pull the plug on the banner efforts. Even talking to council has caused ... stories."
Zober then e-mailed Council:
"This could have been fun, but not worth it on a fast track with a sensitive issue."
Council Finance Chair Bill Peduto says:
"The Penguins found out that they didn't have Reebok's support in order to produce the banners. So blaming this on council is suspicious at best."
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Chessboards & Mushroom Clouds At City Hall
It's hard to choose which of the two pictures above is the best to foreshadow the ongoing escalation in exchanges between the Ravenstahl administration and City Council.
Is this story about something more than a simple snit over paying a legal bill? Four Council members are being told that what began with their challenging that controversial electronic billboard could end with their forced removal from office.
One gets the sense that there are powerful and volatile combinations in play beyond the view of the news of the day.
Check out this blog post about where this legal clash involving Lamar Advertising, City Council, and the Ravenstahl administration was heading. That showdown was asking for depositions and subpoenas of the Mayor, Chief of Staff Yarone Zober, and URA Executive Director Pat Ford on one side, and of five City Council members and their staffers on the other.
Meanwhile, Lamar Advertising's lawsuit against the four City Council members still has not been formally withdrawn...(as of this blog post early Tuesday morning). Doing so was part of the settlement negotiated between attorneys for Lamar, City Solicitor George Specter, and Councilman Patrick Dowd's privately hired attorneys.
When I asked Lamar Advertising's attorney Sam Kamin about this last week, he told me initially that the lawsuit was moot. When I asked him how long it could sit there -- dormant but not officially withdrawn -- before it expired, he answered in terms of years. He assured me there was "nothing nefarious " involved, then closed by saying that in response to my inquiry he intended to formally withdraw the lawsuit as Lamar Advertising had agreed to do in its signed settlement before the Zoning Board.
Note, by the way: the lawsuit by Lamar advertising against Shields, Peduto, Kraus, and Burgess says clearly that those four were (are?) each being sued as members of City Council. Only Patrick Dowd was also being sued as an individual. Among other things, the suit alleges that they violated the Sunshine Act. That's something that a public official can be accused of doing, but not a private citizen.
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Saturday, May 3, 2008
Pat Ford Ethics Review & Paid Leave Update
Here's a link to my Channel 4 Action News story updating URA Executive Director Pat Ford's situation.
The State Ethics Commission is not permitted to even acknowledge the existence of any review of his case. The agency's head of investigations did, however, outline for me the time frames set for all probes under Pennsylvania's ethics law.
The dollar figures cited in my report were reached by doing the simple math. Divide Ford's $115,000 salary by twelve to establish a monthly value. Next, multiply that value by the number of months that can be involved at each step of any preliminary inquiry or full ethics investigation.
The mayor's office did not respond to my request for comment from Mayor Ravenstahl and Chief of Staff Yarone Zober, who serves as chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
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Sunday, April 20, 2008
The Dueling Billboard Subpoenas That Might Have Been
Dueling subpoenas and depositions could have marked the start of a long and messy legal battle involving City Council members, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, and Lamar Advertising. It appears that won't happen, thanks to a resolution of the conflict over the original permit for a large electronic billboard downtown. Here's a closer look at excerpts from the legal documents I covered in my Channel 4 Action News report. They show what that peacekeeping apparently averted.
In this post you'll find images of now-voided:
• Subpoena requests targeting Mayor Luke Ravensthal, Chief of Staff Yarone Zober, and URA Executive Director Patrick Ford, and
• Subpoena requests targeting communications with news organizations and with bloggers on the part of five City Council members.
These are the public records:
• subpoena and discovery motions from attorneys for City Council members Shields, Peduto, Kraus, and Burgess and subpoena and
• subpoena and discovery motions from attorneys for Lamar Advertising.
They were filed with the city Zoning Board this past week, before City Solicitor George Specter, attorneys for Lamar and attorneys for Councilman Dowd reached their agreement on how to resolve the dispute over the billboard permit.
Again, the subpoena requests and discovery motions are all now considered moot, but they would have covered a wide range of records:
• "including, but not limited to, correspondence, notes, letters, documents, emails, text messages, voice mails, cell phone records, calendars, receipts, check registers, calendars, log books message slips or other statements of correspondence) of communications", including many with "news organizations", "members of the press or blogs".
Note that the section dealing with communication with reporters and bloggers appears to have been much broader than the one that would have targeted only billboard related matters. It appears to have sought all "non-privileged records" of communications with reporters and bloggers.
First, click "Read More..." to expand the post and reveal the documents.
Then you can start clicking on each of the images to enlarge them to readable size.
(You can also click this permalink to see the entire post, images and all, in a separate window.)
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From the filing by the attorney for Council members Shields, Peduto, Kraus, and Burgess:
From the filing by attorneys for Lamar Advertising:
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Billboard Back Story: Brewing Controversies
[Looking for my "Media Debate Blowback" post? Click here.]
There's an intriguing back-story that led up to the peacemaking between Lamar Advertising and Pittsburgh Council members who challenged the legality of their permit to erect an electronic billboard downtown. My Channel 4 Action News report lays out details. I obtained copies of legal filings that reveal a battle of subpoenas and discovery motions, averted just in time.
Here's the text of my TV story.
If this agreement on the Lamar electronic billboard going back through channels hadn't been reached, legal documents show council members were pressing for testimony under subpoena by:
• city URA Executive Director Pat Ford, who struck the deal,That won't happen now. But the State Ethics Commission is still reviewing gifts received by Ford and Ford's wife -- Mayor Ravenstahl's former press secretary Alecia Sirk -- from Vlasach. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl: "This process in the infancy stages and we'll see where it goes. I'm not concerned about that at this point, and welcome the investigation at the state ethics commission and look forward to their findings."
• his Lamar executive best friend Jim Vlasach, with whom he negotiated.
• and Mayor Ravenstahl's Executive Secretary Yarone Zober.
Legal documents show council members were asking the zoning board to subpoena all records -- quote--
"pertaining to gifts, remuneration, or 'in kind' services provided by Lamar to any official or employee of the City of Pittsburgh..."The basis?
• The documents say -- quote-- "Mayor Ravenstahl, Mr. Ford, and Mr. Vlasach are all believed to be personal friends."Work on the Lamar electronic billboard is stopped until it clears the normal planning and zoning public process. Meanwhile, published reports [by the PG's Rich Lord] say two different, out-of-town companies also got approval for billboards through Ford without the normal approval process. Mayor Ravenstahl confirms he stopped by Ford's dinner meeting with those execs.
• The discovery was targeted to -- quote -- "consider whether Lamar applied improper influence to these public officials with respect to the led application approval".
Ravenstahl: "To say hello."Two Oregon-based Liberty Pacific media execs at that dinner meeting later contributed a total of $25,000 to Ravenstahl's campaign.
Q: "You just said 'hi' and left?"
A: "No, I mean we just communicated and Pat mentioned that they were in town and I went up to say hello, just like I talk with anybody that's interested in doing business with Pittsburgh. "
Q: "Any campaign aspects discussed in the meeting?"
Mayor Ravenstahl: "No."
Q: "Did those donations in any way influence how the their billboards got approved?"
A: "No. I had nothing to do with the approval of the billboards."
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Wednesday, April 9, 2008
City Government Shakeup
Alecia Sirk and Pat FordThe breaking news tonight is a shakeup in city government involving a power couple in Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration.
Here's the text of my live report on Channel 4 Action News at 5:30 PM. The Pittsburgh Channel now has the video online.
City URA Executive Director Pat Ford is part of Mayor Ravenstahl's inner circle and has held a variety of top posts. His wife Alicia Sirk is the mayor's press secretary. They say their friendship with the Lamar advertising executive goes back some time and has nothing to do with the billboard deal.
But the Mayor's chief of staff has just informed us that Alecia Sirk resigned today.
It's in relation to the issues in the story you are about to see..
The URA's Pat Ford has requested a temporary paid leave of absence -- granted, effective immediately -- to allow a review by the appropriate agencies into the gift matters in the report you're going to see now.
[Video]
This is city official Pat Ford -- who struck the deal that bypassed Pittsburgh's permit process to allow Lamar Advertising to put up an electronic billboard on the Grant Street Transportation Center now being built.
His wife Alecia Sirk -- Mayor Ravenstahl's press secretary -- blogged about the couple's friendship with Lamar executive Jim Vlasach a couple of years back.
She calls her husband 'our hero'.., and wrote JV -- that's the Lamar exec -- had gifted her with a sound system.
• "...The best part was that i got a christmas gift! jv brought me surround sound for my dvd player!"
"it is like knock you over one of the best things evah."
Local political blogs The Burgh Report and The Pittsburgh Comet got a tip about it, even though the original files are no longer on the net.
Blogger Bram Reichbaum: "we feel that the appearance of an impropriety is clear. There's certainly enough out there for a perception of impropriety. That's not for us to determine."
Ford is not available for comment, but told our news partner, the Tribune-Review:
• "The gifts ... are of nominal value."
• "I've been in public service long enough now to know what's appropriate and what's inappropriate behavior."
• ".. I also am professional enough and mature enough to know when to separate business with a friendship."
Sirk isn't available for comment today, but she told Blogger Bram Reichbaum that "she didn't regard anything that she had written about in her blog as inappropriate and there was nothing inappropriate about the relationship."
[Back on camera]
The mayor's chief of staff Yarone Zober says the State Ethics commission will review the controversy.
Published reports quote Ford as confirming repeated gifts from his friend,including cigars, ties, and other gifts, which he says are of nominal value.
The Lamar executive did not return our call for comment.
Lamar is suing city council members who are challenging the done deal.
Reporting live, Bob Mayo, Channel 4 Action News.
Later this evening, Joanna Doven of the mayor's office issued this news release:
MAYOR ANNOUNCES PERSONNEL CHANGES
(PITTSBURGH) April 9, 2008 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced today a series of personnel developments.
The Mayor has accepted the resignation of press secretary, Alecia Sirk, effective immediately.
Additionally, and in response to a series of media announcements today, Pat Ford, executive director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, has asked for and been granted a leave of absence. Mr. Ford has further requested a full review of the issues raised relative to the exchange of gifts by the appropriate agencies.
Mr. Ford’s board seat on the Housing Authority will be filled by Fred Frank.
For additional information related to these personnel developments, please call Yarone Zober at [phone number]. All other media inquires are to be directed to Joanna Doven.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Notes & Quotes -- Alleged Mayoral Threat Edition
I'm continuing on the jury watch at the Wecht trial, but got to report on the clash with council and the mayor after the jurors went home for the day without reaching a decision.
My reporting was based on video gathered by WTAE Channel 4 Action News reporter Amber Nicotra and photographers Dan Pratt and TJ Haught.
Here are some quotes from the council meeting, followed by highlights from Mayor Ravenstahl's response to our questions later in the day .
[* For background, see note below.]
Councilman Ricky Burgess: "I'll be clear. I'm a grown man. if you want to punish me, bring it on."..."But no, they're not strong enough, brave enough to punish me personally. But what they have to do is, they take their punishment on the majority of council. Shame on you."
Councilman Jim Motznik: "Let's put it out there, and lets hear who's making threats and who's trying to punish and deal with it accordingly. To me this is about good government."
Councilman Bruce Kraus: "I was threatened directly from the mayor -- last week at Councilman Motznik's fundraiser-- that these very actions would be taken if this bill were to pass to take away the cars."
Motznik: "It wasn't a threat at all. It was about letting a new council member know about--" Council President Doug Shields: "If Mr. Kraus decided he was being threatened, I'm sure he's capable of making his own assessment. If you want to be the apologist for the administration, you go right ahead."
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl: "To suggest that I made some sort of threat is ridiculous. Certainly, Councilman Kraus and I had a discussion. And I suggested that if City Council want to live by the Act 47 plan, that they themselves should be willing to make amendments to their budgets to reflect Act 47. So that was the conversation that we had. It was in no way a threat. It was simply a policy discussion around the need for -- and what we believed Act 47 should represent."
..."I'm somebody that always has discussions and has an opinion. And I voiced that opinion to Councilman Kraus. He certainly didn't agree, but I think he's being disingenuous to suggest that somehow he felt threatened by me. I have no authority to tell him what to do. He's an independently elected city official. I have no authority to threaten him with anything because he is, you know, an elected city official in his own right. And to suggest that is unfortunate. But we certainly did disagree and we do disagree on the issue, but I wouldn't escalate it to that of threats being made."
* (If you hadn't been following this story, here's a quick recap. Over the objections of the mayor, council approved Councilman Burgess' bill to cut in half the number of "take home" cars for city employees. Later in the same meeting, the mayor's ally Councilman Motznik introduced a proposal to slash the council's budget for its staff. Talk had been simmering for some time of alleged threats against council and it's staff that would be carried out if the number of take home cars were reduced. During the public meeting, Councilman Kraus said that the threat of political contribution came straight from the mayor's lips to his ears. He said the mayor told him "we're coming after you" and "there's more where that came from".)
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Twists And Turns On Grant Street
Meanwhile, here's the latest on some issues bubbling at the other end of Grant Street.
The Burgh Report's post on this flow chart from the mayor's office has stirred up a flurry of discussion.
The Ravenstahl administration is saying that the chart was an informal illustration of lines of communication within the mayor's office... not lines of authority. It notes, for example, that "there is no permitting department".
Just before noon, the mayor's office sent this update to council.
From: Stettner, Melissa
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 11:58 AM
To: City Clerk's Office; City Council
Cc: Gibson, Debra; Victor, Art
Subject: Mayor's Office Org Chart
Dear President and Members,
Attached is an updated organizational chart of the Mayor's office for
your information. I will also be delivering hard copies to Council's
front desk. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Missy
Melissa M. Stettner
Senior Administrator
to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl
Here's the attachment. I'm sure there's more to come on this. The Burgher just called to my attention that the chart shows the law department under the Mayor's chief of staff Yarone Zober.
Friday, March 14, 2008
What A Difference A Day Makes: Ravenstahl Clinton Endorsement?
UPDATE # 3: e-mailed at 11:46 AM. The message is re-sent, this time from Sirk's personal Yahoo e-mail account. The previous message was from her City of Pittsburgh e-mail account. The final version is the same quote from Mayor Ravenstahl, prefaced with the headline "LUKE RAVENSTAHL: PITTSBURGH'S MAYOR. OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF ENDORSEMENT FOR SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES".
UPDATE # 2: e-mailed at 11:16 AM:
Sirk, Alecia would like to recall the message, ""
UPDATE: The following statement from Mayor Ravenstahl was e-mailed by his press secretary Alecia Sirk at 11:12 AM today:
“I am pleased to have the opportunity this afternoon to voice my support for Sen. Hillary Clinton as the next president of the United States,” Ravenstahl said. “In one of her speeches, Sen. Clinton said something that had particular meaning for me: she said ‘wait a minute, Wall Street; you’ve had your president. Now we need a president for Main Street.’
“That statement reflects my approach to government: putting neighborhoods first, bolstering job opportunities, ensuring that residents can thrive and grow families in Pittsburgh and other cities like ours. With Sen. Clinton in the White House we will have a partner in the White House who will champion programs that will help Pittsburgh thrive.”
When I asked, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl insisted repeatedly during a news conference Tuesday that he had not decided between Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama. Within hours, Clinton campaign sources were widely quoted as saying that in fact Ravenstahl will be endorsing Senator Clinton today.
You can watch the raw video from WTAE Channel 4 Action News on The Pittsburgh Channel website. Click here to open it in a new window. I'm also posting some of my questions and the mayor's answers below. The video also includes City Controller Michael Lamb's endorsement of Senator Obama.
Q: In your role as a super delegate, do you anticipate, have you made a decision on which candidate you're backing? If not, to you anticipate doing that prior to primary day? Why or why not?
A: I have not made a decision. I can tell you that I don't know if I'm a super delegate. I know that Rich (Lord of the Post-Gazette) reported as much. As a result of that, we've had some back and forth, and I don't know if I'm a pledged delegate or a super delegate, so I don't want to be -- I guess I don't want to say that I'm a super delegate. But I can tell you just generally, overall with the race, you know, I haven't made a decision yet. I'm in the process of having discussions with both campaigns and we'll go from there. I do anticipate making an endorsement at some point in time. When that will be, I'm not sure yet. But I think it's important for the mayor the city to make an endorsement at some point, and when I make a decision I'll make sure you guys are the first to know.
Q (from a second reporter): Will you be making the rounds with Senator Clinton tomorrow and Saturday?
A: You know, I don't even know what that means at this point. I don't know what the rounds are. I know she's going to be in town, but other than that I don't have any specific information. So, as of now, I don't know but I'm not planning on it at this point. It depends on what the specifics are and I don't have any of them at this point.
Q (from the second reporter): Has she talked to you recently about supporting her?
A: Not personally she hasn't, no. I talked to the president last week and Senator Obama this week and their campaigns respectively but I haven't directly spoken with her.
Q: Have you directly spoken with Obama, you said?
A: Yes I did.
Q: And what -- tell us about that conversation.
A: Just very vanilla. Obviously asking for support, and just looked forward to being in Pittsburgh and meeting me and, you know, spending some time in the state and the city.
[...later in the news conference...]
Q: Some people presume that Hillary Clinton would have the inside track for getting your support; is that not the case?
A: You guys are all speculators. I don't -- again, I like them both. It's a very difficult situation to be in. I think Democrats across the country are struggling with this. We've seen that when Senator Clinton got ahead, then all of a sudden here comes Senator Obama, and vice versa. So I think it's good healthy dialog and debate for the Democrats because we understand as a party, I think, what I just illustrated: that we need a change in this country and I think that's what you've seen happen over the course of time and certainly will happen in Pennsylvania over the next six weeks.
[...still later in the news conference, on the topic of whether he is a super delegate...]
A: "...in my discussions with the county executive, he suggested I was not a super -- I don't know what you reported, but his understanding of what you reported was not accurate. Now, I don't know what that means, I don't know -- I haven't talked directly to the state party. So, I think I am some form of a delegate, but I don't know that I'm a super delegate to speak my mind as I see fit.
Q (from a third reporter): I wasn't told you were a super delegate, but a PLEO, which is something different.
A: The distinction that he suggested -- and I didn't get a chance to read the e-mail from the state party -- but was that I was not free, necessarily, to speak my mind as I see fit. So, I'm pledged, in that I may have to, you know, whatever the state does or the city does, have to go that way. So I don't know that I'm free to speak my mind, is I guess the caveat that's different than perhaps what was reported. But I'll try to find out today, if I can.
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Friday, March 7, 2008
Mayor Pays PEMA For Yukon Rides
Remember the questions raised over Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's use of a police SUV paid for with federal Homeland Security money? Tonight the mayor says that he's paying about $150 to put the matter behind him.
Ravenstahl used the GMC Yukon -- intended for the city's police intelligence unit -- to take friends to a concert, among other things. The mayor's office says Pennsylvania's Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) found that the cost of the mayor using the SUV was minimal. Ravenstahl has written a personal check to the state for $145.50 to cover the cost of the 300 miles he put on the vehicle.
I'd blogged here about Federal Emergency Management officials telling the state to look into the matter. The Yukon was purchased under the federal "Buffer Zone Protection Program". That means it's to be used to "protect and secure critical infrastructure and key resource sites across the country". The mayor and Police Chief Nate Harper fielded reporter questions on this last fall.
The mayor's office e-mailed its announcement shortly before 5:00 PM on Friday. No PEMA or federal officials were available for comment. You can check out the news release below.
[Click to enlarge.]I noticed the news release letterhead is now bears a copyright by the mayor's office. I'm sure that with "fair use" exemptions there's no problem reproducing it here.
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