Council votes for borough co-op

City Council newbie Bruce Kraus yesterday reiterated his desire to make city government more… City Council newbie Bruce Kraus yesterday reiterated his desire to make city government more transparent and accountable.

Kraus, who represents council district three, which includes the South Side and parts of Central and South Oakland, is only in his second week on the job, but at yesterday’s City Council meeting, he said that he “sees a continuing trend of transparency in government.”

Kraus did his part to ensure responsible spending in the city government by carefully pouring over every line of legislation that was in front of him, questioning experts on how money will be spent and the necessity of each program.

At the meeting, Kraus, along with the rest of Council, approved a new measure that could eventually bring about consolidation and greater cooperation between the city and its numerous boroughs and municipalities.

Council members considered a resolution that would create an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between the City of Pittsburgh and the Borough of Wilkinsburg to remove trash and other municipal waste.

If approved, the resolution would mark one of the first occasions of city-borough cooperation.

“It’s unchartered territory,” Councilman Bill Peduto said, but he also said that he believes the agreement is a win-win for everyone involved.

Led by Councilwoman Darlene Harris, chair of the Public Works and Environmental Committee, and Guy Costa, director of the Department of Public Works, the cooperative agreement would save Wilkinsburg taxpayers approximately $250,000 annually.

By offering its services to boroughs and municipalities, the city could begin to move toward increased consolidation of local government and services.

Peduto touted the city government’s ability to provide services throughout the city more efficiently and at a lower rate than private companies, since state law prohibits the city from making a profit on the provision of services.

Councilman James Motznik said that one day he can “see the city growing and taking over the county, not the county taking over the city, as some have said.”

Additionally, Council passed legislation that would use a state grant from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to prevent the use of illegal slot machines and other gambling devices throughout the city. Police commander of the narcotics and vice unit Cheryl Doubt said that the grant would be used for public outreach and education, purchasing equipment necessary to prevent illegal gambling, advertising of the new law and paying overtime for officers, although new personnel would not be hired as part of an anti-gambling task force.

The resolution is designed to monitor and limit illegal gambling before the much-anticipated Majestic Star casino opens on the North Shore next year.