Q&A With Sean Capperis - More Info About the Ordinance
Monday, May 05, 2008

About two weeks ago Sean Capperis, Constituent Services Manager for Councilman Patrick Dowd, was kind enough to answer some questions about the Ordinance that will impact all boaters that use City of Pittsburgh Wharfs.

The following Q&A helps to shed some light on this controversial topic.


Which council person introduced the proposed changes?

No council member has introduced these changes – the executive branch is introducing this bill into Council. The executive branch can introduce legislation into Council just as a Council member would, and this will come with any other legislation they are proposing that particular week. Like all other legislation, Council will discuss it and vote on it.

What issues/problems initiated the rewriting of the ordinance?

The old ordinance did not take into account how people would now be using city-owned riverfront property, or the current popularity of boating and tying to public docks in Pittsburgh. There are no measures prohibiting any behavior or activity that would threaten the health, safety, or quality of life of boaters already tied to public property, or other people using that property in some other way (like joggers on trails next to city-owned docks). This proposed legislation also protects the interests of tax-paying residents of the City of Pittsburgh, and the public property that those tax dollars pay for.

Were any specific problems or concerns reported in regard to boaters’ use of the wharfs?

Yes. Particularly, there is a problem with tying boats to city-owned property on the riverfronts that are not proper docks. A good example of this would be trees in public riverfront parks. If someone were to tie to a tree and then damage it, city taxpayers would be responsible for paying to remove the tree. Currently, the City Code has no mechanism to enforce against this kind of damage to public property.

What is the City trying to accomplish by rewriting this ordinance?

As above, the City Code does not have sufficient regulations on how boats may properly tie to city-owned property, to protect the public’s continued use and enjoyment of that property. These properties include city-owned docks, like those on the North Shore, and it covers riverfront parks and other public property. This ordinance does not cover private docks and the boats that tie there. It also does not apply to boats that are simply passing through without docking. It does not apply to docks owned by private businesses or individuals, where visitors can tie up to enjoy those businesses. It only covers public property, and the boats that tie to public property.

Does the City plan to approve/enact this ordinance prior to the 2008 “boating season?”

Yes.

Is unlicensed commercial use of the wharfs one of the issues?

It is, but it is only an occasional issue.

Have City officials estimated the cost of regulating the wharfs? What is the estimate?

It is unknown at this time. It is expected that much of the enforcement would be done by River Rescue, which is already an existing branch of the City’s EMS.

Have City officials estimated the potential income that could be generated by charging boaters? What is the estimate?

The City is not putting forward this ordinance to make income. Departments typically set fees to just pay for the upkeep of the resource in question (park shelters are a good example).

What groups/organizations have input on writing of this ordinance?

Initially, the Port of Pittsburgh Commission, Friends of the Riverfront, Riverlife Task Force, Sports and Exhibition Authority, PA Department of Environmental Protection, Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, PA Fish & Boat Commission have had the chance to comment. When a constituent brought this proposed ordinance to our attention, we began to collect comment from them and other readers of BoatPittsburgh.

Has the City sought any input from the businesses (restaurants, night clubs and marinas) that this ordinance would impact?

The ordinance addresses the use of City-owned riverfront property. It typically doesn’t involve these businesses. They are certainly welcome to speak at a public hearing, or send along comments to the City.

Will the city take into account input from boaters that live outside of city limits but utilize the wharf and patronize related businesses?

The City has already done so, through the Port of Pittsburgh Commission (this organization is regional), and the other organizations above. Boaters that live outside of city limits may speak at a future public hearing, or can send comments along to the City.



Submitted by: Terry Grantz

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