HARRISBURG, September 8, 2008 –State Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh) is asking his fellow board members to approve policy changes to be made at Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority, including:

• Public listing on each agenda of all proposed contract awards, the identity of the bidders and the amounts of each bid on professional service contracts and competitive contracts;

• Listing of the company name, address, phone number and principles of all contract awardees;

• One month posting of URA agenda items and listing on web site prior to formal vote for contracts over $100,000, with waiver if needed, and;

• Web site listing of all contract bidding offers and subsequent bid information.

“From day one, I believe Mayor Ravenstahl and his Administration have approached government operations in a different way, with an eye toward improving the process,” Ferlo said.  “These modest policy changes reflect this attitude and the management style that our Mayor has embraced as a principle for running the city and its agencies.”

Ferlo added, “As a board, we have a responsibility to provide oversight and advocate changes that will improve URA operations.  I believe these proposals will help the public better understand how the Authority makes decisions.”

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