Coronavirus will likely delay Pittsburgh's free grass-cutting program

Pittsburgh plans to offer free grass cutting again in 2020 for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities, but is uncertain when the service might begin because of the coronavirus pandemic.

City Council on Tuesday voted 8-1 to allocate $300,000 for the City Cuts program. Dan Gilman, Mayor Bill Peduto’s chief of staff, said the city would work with Gov. Tom Wolf’s office and health officials in deciding when it will be safe to start the service.

Pittsburgh intends to provide it for 650 residents in 2020, Gilman said.

“Unfortunately the timing of the virus remains unpredictable, and we don’t want to encourage any close interaction until it is safe,” he said.

The program offered exclusively to city residents has reached capacity for 2020, but officials will notify residents when the sign-up period begins anew in 2021. To receive notification, click here.

Councilman Anthony Coghill voted against the funding because of the pandemic. The city is facing a deficit in 2020 caused by the pandemic, officials have said.

“I don’t quite feel it’s fiscally responsible at this point,” Coghill said during a council meeting. “Are we going to even be out there cutting grass by the end of the year?”

Council President Theresa Kail-Smith and Gilman said the funding is important because it helps city residents and small businesses. Pittsburgh contracts with local lawn service companies to cut grass. Smith and Gilman, when he previously served on council, were the original sponsors of the program.

“We have seniors who don’t have any family and we have veterans and disabled people. That’s who this service benefits the most,” Kail-Smith said. “It also benefits small businesses. If there is a way we can help small businesses at this time without having a major impact on the budget we should do that.”