RAD Board Meeting Summary | 9.29.2022

RADical ImPAct grants are the gifts to RAD assets that keep on giving.

That was the assessment from the Allegheny Regional Asset District Board after hearing from Montour High School student Camille Howard.

Ms. Howard was hard at work this summer as a RADcaster, one of 22 Pittsburgh-area students who interned with SLB Radio Productions. All 22 form the backbone of RADcast - an idea for student-powered podcasts about RAD assets, funded by a RADical ImPAct grant.

Playing a draft of her podcast about the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Ms. Howard impressed the board with her prowess as a teen journalist -- one who also filed reports on the Montour Trail, Hill Dance Academy Theatre and Pittsburgh Youth Chorus.

Camille's voice was not alone; the RAD Board heard audio testimonials from the other young RADcasters about what the program meant to them, what they learned through the process, and how they are spreading the word about Allegheny County's regional assets.

Want to hear them for yourself? You will soon. A total of 45 RADcast reports are currently in production and expected to be released in the coming months.

PUBLIC COMMENT

After RAD Board chair Dusty Elias Kirk called the meeting to order, the lone public comment came from Amy Anderson, CEO of Allegheny County Library Association.

Ms. Anderson reported that ACLA libraries voted overwhelmingly (35-1) on Sept. 28 to adopt a new funding formula that better meets the needs of libraries countywide.

Ms. Anderson also thanked the RAD Board for its support of ACLA member libraries and for the recently-announced Transformative Community Library Fund.

"Your continued support of Allegheny County libraries is very much appreciated," Ms. Anderson said. "And we look forward to continuing to build up our relationship to make all of the libraries of Allegheny County stronger than ever."

Ms. Kirk called for approval of the minutes from the June 2 meeting, which were unanimously approved. They can be accessed here.

Treasurer's report

Sylvia Fields, RAD Board Secretary/Treasurer, submitted her report on RAD's strong finances.

Tax Revenue:

• $92.3 million year-to-date
• $8 million (9.5%) higher than Sept. 2021 year-to-date

Distributions:

• $78.8 million through September
• Includes $1 million in prior year capical and RADical ImPAct payments

Ms. Fields answered a question from RAD Board vice-chair Dan Griffin about sales tax numbers, confirming that Allegheny County sales tax revenue continues to trend higher.

allocations committee's report

RAD's preliminary budget for 2023 is out, and it is both ambitious in its mission while prudent in its projections for tax revenue -- anticipated to be $120 million for the calendar year.

Mr. Griffin submitted the spending plan on behalf of the Allocations Committee. He noted that higher-than-anticipated sales tax revenues will allow RAD to increase funding, but "that should be considered an exception and not the norm," Mr. Griffin said.

Some highlights:

• $105.9 million for operating grants to 99 organizations as well as debt service, including:
  • $34.7 million for libraries
  • $32.4 million for parks
  • $13.2 million for arts and cultural organizations
  • $8.4 million for the Zoo, Phipps, and Aviary
  • $14.2 million for sports and civic facilities
  • $3 million for public transit

"The budget reflects RAD’s highest priority by supporting Libraries and Parks which are always free and open to the public," Mr. Griffin added.

The allocations committee is also recommending the following:

• $12.6 million in capital requests to 28 organizations, including:
  
  • $7.1 million for parks and trails
  • $2 million for the Zoo, Phipps, and Aviary
  • $3.5 million to arts and cultural organizations
• $400,000 for Connection and Accessibility & Inclusion grants
• $1.2 million for general administration

Public comment on the preliminary budget is now open. A public comment hearing will be held at the Koppers Building Conference Center on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022 at 3PM.

The RAD Board will take comments, make adjustments and vote on the final budget at its Nov. 29 board meeting.

advisory board NOMINATION

Judy Freeman became the latest member of the Citizen Advisory Board, as nominated by RAD Board member Jackie Dixon. Ms. Freeman is a vice president at Flueid Softward Corporation, with decades of experience in operations management and financial services. Ms. Freeman's nomination was unanimously approved by the Board.

executive director's report

The RAD Board unanimously approved a request from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to re-purpose its 2022 capital grant from RAD.

Originally earmarked for seat upgrades at Heinz Hall, the PSO will instead be using its $100,000 grant to convert its steam heat system to a natural gas boiling system. The move was necessitated by a change from the building's current steam heat provider, which will soon not be providing heat for Heinz Hall.

RAD is also making sure that its money is working hard for the people by investing an additional $3 million in its existing CIM portfolio, a move unanimously approved by the RAD Board.

And we didn't forget about RADical Days! RAD executive director Rich Hudic boasted about the high attendance and media attention for RAD's annual celebration of its assets, with free public events continuing through Oct. 16.

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The official minutes of this meeting will be made available upon approval at the next board meeting. The Board will conduct a public hearing on Oct. 27 and will hold its final meeting of 2022 on Nov. 29.