'Star-struck' Pittsburgh officials ridiculed for G-20 approval

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato were so "star struck" when agreeing to host the G-20 economic summit that they didn't consider the ramifications, City Council President Doug Shields said Friday.

Council members discussed the anticipated cost of hosting the Sept. 24-25 summit before voting 6-0 to tentatively approve accepting $14.3 million from the state and federal governments and capping the budget for public safety spending for the summit at $16 million.

Shields criticized Ravenstahl and Onorato during council's discussion. Other council members bluntly called upon Onorato to commit county money to help pay the cost of hosting the summit.

"For the county executive and the mayor of the City of Pittsburgh to accept this invitation without consultation from council and other civic leaders ... about whether to accept this ... is, in my opinion, a dereliction of their duty," Shields said. "For them not to have done that is, in my opinion, some really poor thinking."

Joanna Doven, spokeswoman for Ravenstahl, said White House officials made it clear the offer to host the summit was to be kept confidential.

"We were told our lips had to be sealed," she said. "... Yes, the mayor and county executive really wanted it to come here and thought it would be a very good thing for Pittsburgh's image and good for the city. It's our understanding there are a lot of challenges in hosting it, but the mayor believes we're up to the task."

Onorato released a letter to City Council following its discussion, acknowledging council members' concerns about financial commitments for the summit. "Obviously, you have not been properly briefed or adequately kept informed on numerous issues and developments related to the G-20 summit," he wrote.

He invited City Council members to meet with him Monday morning in his office to discuss summit preparations including public safety and financial issues. County Council members also are invited, said Onorato's spokesman, Kevin Evanto.

Much of the anticipated cost for public safety comes from recruiting more than 3,000 police officers to help deal with thousands of expected international delegates and journalists and tens of thousands of protesters.

The city would front the $16 million from its capital reserve account, leaving a $1.7 million gap between the projected cost and promised funding. Council members said the city should not bear the cost of the balance.

"I'm not interested in appropriating money we don't have. The city can't contribute more. We need other people to help us on this project," said Councilman Patrick Dowd, who abstained from the vote. He said he's against fronting money without assurance of reimbursement, but didn't want to vote no.

Ravenstahl and Onorato together have staged "community sweeps," walking through city neighborhoods, to promote a citywide cleanup effort before the summit. Councilman Bill Peduto said it's time for Onorato to support the event by chipping in money.

"It's imperative that at the next press conference he's at, he brings his checkbook," Peduto said.

In his letter, Onorato listed "numerous costs and responsibilities that are unique to the county, given the service we provide that the city does not." He said the county will incur costs for nearly 600 public safety personnel, communications equipment for the emergency operations center and public safety personnel, jail employees, the judicial system, maintenance and repairs, and the Airport Authority.

The county has representatives on 21 planning committees the Secret Service established for summit preparations, Onorato said, and his staff takes part in daily meetings among city, county, state and federal officials.

"I will continue to work to see that any unforeseen or additional costs are covered by federal and/or state resources," he said.

The county committed police officers, emergency service and public works employees, Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Mike Huss told council, urging them to approve the full amount.

"It's what we feel we need to successfully pull off this event," Huss said. "I'm telling you we anticipate needing $16 million, and we need to get moving."

Council will hold a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to discuss ordinances dealing with public conduct during the summit. That legislation includes prohibiting items that conceal identity and possession of instruments that could be used to thwart police attempts to break up protests, such as masks and assault weapons.

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