‘Fireworks' erupt at City Hall over BBI argument

PITTSBURGH — A shouting match erupted at City Hall Wednesday, and Channel 11's Rick Earle reports it was all over the mayor's plans to move building inspections out from the Department of Public Safety.

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City Council members Darlene Harris and Bruce Kraus disagree over Mayor Bill Peduto’s plan to move the Bureau of Building Inspection out of public safety and to create its own department.

“I’m sorry this is public safety. This is people’s lives,” Harris said.

Harris opposes the move and cited a report on a deadly building collapse in Philadelphia that found too much emphasis on creating a fast permitting process and not enough public safety.

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“What if, when a building collapsed in Philadelphia, it was one of your relatives or the 14 people that were injured?” Harris said.

Peduto’s Chief of Staff Kevin Acklin fired back, saying creating a Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections will streamline the process, and actually improve public safety.

“What we are doing is elevating the department to be directly accountable to the mayor. We’re looking to make it mesh more closely with other agencies in the city,” Acklin said.

The union representing BBI workers also expressed reservations, claiming that they mayor’s proposal will strip inspectors of their badges and uniforms, and compromise their safety.

“Even in our safest neighborhoods, anything can happen, and they’re not easily going to be recognized and identified, and it leaves them vulnerable,” Union president Claudia Smith said.

Harris also questioned the BBI director’s credentials and the days she’s missed while attending college.

Acklin said all of that was approved when she was hired. He said the director is doing a great job.