City Council announces members of G-20 committee

By Lindsay Carroll / Assistant News Editor

published: Thu, 8 Oct, 2009

City Council officially formed its special committee that will review city planning and action during the G-20 Summit, which could include investigations into Summit-related arrests made at Pitt.

Councilman Patrick Dowd, who represents neighborhoods such as Lawrenceville and Bloomfield in District 7, will chair the G-20 Fact Finding Committee. Dowd proposed the resolution to create the committee.

Other members include Council members Bill Peduto of District 8, Bruce Kraus of District 2 and Darlene Harris of District 1. Peduto’s district includes North Oakland and Shadyside, while Kraus represents parts of Oakland and the South Side and Harris represents neighborhoods such as Brighton Heights and Northville Heights.

President of the Council Doug Shields appointed the members, which he announced in a news release today. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Director of Public Safety Michael Huss and City Controller Michael Lamb, or designees of those officials, will also serve as members.

Shields were serve as an ex-officio member.

The committee will “compile an objective and comprehensive collection” of information related to aspects of the city’s G-20 planning and financing, which includes the planning for public safety, accommodation for G-20 participants and preparation for “groups and individuals expected to engage in First Amendment activities.”

Its members plan to collect documents and hear witness testimony on city’s experiences hosting the G-20. The committee will produce a report of its findings to City Council, which will include any dissent from its members.

The committee is scheduled to complete its report no later than May 20.