More than 35 people, many from the Hill District, testified before City Council this morning in support of a community benefits agreement around the proposed replacement for Mellon Arena. (P-G, Mark Belko)That's what happened.
Marimba Milliones specifically asked the body to pass a Sense of Council Resolution in support of a community benefits agreement before development continues.
"The community's interests were not included in the lease at all," Redwood said. "Once that lease was signed, (the Penguins) walked away and have not been back to the table." (Trib, Jeremy Boren)
Redwood was overheard to state that one more negotiation session with the city and county is scheduled for later this week -- and then "that's pretty much it."
As we write this, it just occurred to the Comet that for the first time in this process, there was absolutely no daylight or sense of division between the Hill Faith and Justice Alliance and the One Hill CBA coalition -- not even an undertone.
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Council President Doug Shields and Councilman Bill Peduto each spoke out after public comments in favor of community benefits agreements, and in favor of Council involving itself in the process moving forward.
Councilwoman Tonya Payne, who represents the Hill District, did not speak at all. After the hearing, Dr. Kimberly Ellis expressed some displeasure to the Councilwoman that her representative had chosen to offer nothing to the discussion. The Councilwoman countered that she has been and continues to be very involved.
Peduto mentioned to the Comet after the hearing that Council will provide "a check and a balance", but declined to elaborate.
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