Latest news with #BarbWarwick
CBS News
23-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Pittsburgh City Council member calls for restoration of stormwater project amid recent storms
A Pittsburgh councilwoman is calling for the restoration of the stormwater project. "A project with no money is no project at all," said Pittsburgh Councilmember Barb Warwick. According to Warwick, Pittsburgh Water promised some version of a stormwater management project since 2016. She said construction was supposed to start later this year. "Pittsburgh water cut the money from the capital budget, moving the money elsewhere, no notice, no calls, no public discussion, Pittsburgh water broke its promise." The area is prone to flooding when severe weather hits. "We're not just talking about a little water in the basement, we are talking about a life-threatening flash flood that blows off manhole covers," Cynthia Cerrato explained. KDKA-TV reached out to Pittsburgh Water, a spokesperson said the project is not canceled, they say it's postponed due to funding. They added that three other projects are also in the same boat, on the South Side, in Carrick, and in the Hill District. Residents said they just want what they're owed to save their community. "If it were your business, if it was your family, if it was your friends, or your livelihood, would you stand and say I would relocate this money somewhere else?" Dana Provenzano said.
CBS News
22-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Pittsburgh council member introduces pollinator garden legislation
A Pittsburgh City Councilmember has introduced a new bill that would allow city residents to cultivate native and pollinator gardens. District 5 Councilmember Barb Warwick introduced the legislation on Tuesday, which would create a registry of managed natural landscapes to prevent overgrowth citations for native gardens, according to an accompanying news release. The bill exempts managed natural landscapes, defined as "intentional plantings of vegetation native to Pennsylvania," from the property code's prohibition of plant growth more than 10 inches high on residential properties. The bill also requires managed natural landscapes, which include rain gardens, pollinator gardens, and native gardens, to be registered with the city, the press release added. "Cultivating native gardens in place of turfgrass lawns improves our local biodiversity, air quality, and water quality," said Councilmember Warwick. "We as a city should allow and encourage residents to take actions which will protect our ecosystems from the effects of climate change." Councilmember Warwick's legislation creates the registry to prevent any further uncertainty from city inspectors when determining the difference between plants more than 10 inches tall that have been purposefully planted and a regular weed. "It's great to see the city encourage more people to cultivate native and pollinator gardens. People should be able to help our local environment without being afraid of incurring City penalties for their gardens," said Lawrenceville resident Josh Koshar, who also maintains an Audubon Society-certified backyard. "(The) Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is very excited by this proposed ordinance change and strongly encourages its adoption. Allowing for natural landscapes in the City of Pittsburgh will enable people to connect with nature in their own back (and front) yards," said Jim Bonner, Executive Director of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. "Native plants require less fertilizer and less maintenance. Once established, they require less water and will even help to manage stormwater runoff." The legislation will be further discussed at next Wednesday's standing committees council meeting and could be voted on as early as the May 6 council meeting.
