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The Pittsburgh Food Policy Council (PFPC) invites QVCOG municipalities to participate in their 2025 Municipal Food Systems Survey! The objective of this survey is to learn more about Allegheny County municipal food-based policies and processes. Responses will be used to identify, strengthen and address future food system policies and programs of the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council. The Municipal Food Systems survey was developed by faculty at the University of Virginia, and adapted by PFPC to be relevant to Allegheny County. It was first administered in 2019, and the results informed the Greater Pittsburgh Food Action Plan (GPFAP). Below you will find a copy of the 2019 Municipal Audit key findings and a one-pager of the GPFAP findings. Your participation in this survey is highly valued. Those who complete the survey by January 23rd, 2025 will be entered into a raffle to win one of four (4) $25 visa gift cards. You will need to provide your email and complete the survey to qualify for the raffle. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey or if you need assistance with filling out the survey, please reach out to PFPC's Project Manager, Sarah Buranskas ([email protected]) or PFPC'S fellow, Shanella Palmer ([email protected]). 
 Through a grant from the Arconic Foundation, Allegheny County Conservation District is developing a new environmental and social mapping resource. The resource is meant to be a one-stop-shop for grant applicants to view spatial data and identify areas that meet various grant eligibility criteria. Municipal officials and staff are the primary audience for the resource. QVCOG member communities are encouraged to participate in a brief survey to help ACCD better understand the specific data and mapping needs of municipalities in the region. The survey has 5-6 questions which should take about 5-10 minutes to complete. Survey responses by Friday, January 24th. You may access the survey here.  The Bond/WAPMM Local Government Internship Program is a partnership between the Western Association of Pennsylvania Municipal Management (WAPMM) and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), University of Pittsburgh. It is funded by an endowment through the University of Pittsburgh established by former Municipal Manager and GSPIA Alumnus, Marshall W. Bond. Although it is available at no financial cost to the successful municipal applicant, municipalities are encouraged to supplement the endowment stipend. This opportunity has been developed to help identify, encourage, and train up future municipal managers. If you have a challenging summer project(s) with which you may need assistance, that exposes a public administration graduate student to the ins and outs of a full-service municipality, please consider making an application. The Program Guidelines and Application can be found below.
 As voted on by the QVCOG Board of Delegates at its November 20, 2024 meeting, the December 18, 2024 Regular Meeting will take place exclusively via Zoom. The meeting Agenda can be found below:
 2024 was another productive and successful year for the Quaker Valley Council of Governments! Below you may access the "Year in Review" report.
 On January 10th CONNECT will be hosting an in-person event at Phipps Conservatory for municipal staff. The event aims to bring together individuals passionate about holistic wellbeing and personal growth. The event will include insightful discussions, interactive workshops, demonstrations from wellbeing vendors and networking opportunities. The event seeks to encourage municipal staff to learn about new wellness techniques for stress management and self-care; will allow them to network meaningfully with peers and improve interpersonal skills; invites them to enjoy engaging speakers and live entertainment; and allow attendees to unwind with wellness vendors in every sector of health & wellbeing. Additional registration and agenda details can be found by visiting here.  The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is updating the Active Transportation Plan for Southwestern Pennsylvania and is seeking input from the public. Active Transportation refers to any form of human-powered travel, such as walking or biking, and includes other modes like wheelchairs or other mobility devices, scooters, and skateboards. These modes may be used as the primary means of transportation, or to access other modes like public transit. Active transportation focuses on using active travel for daily commutes, errands, or leisure, promoting healthier lifestyles, reducing traffic congestion, and minimizing environmental impact. These sessions are open-house style. The meeting locations, dates, and times can be found below.
In addition to the public comment sessions, PRC is seeking input through a survey. You may access the public survey link here. Your feedback will help PRC understand how different groups use and experience active transportation options like walking, biking, and other forms of active travel, and how SPC can support communities in advancing active transportation projects and programs. Survey Flyer  The Local Government Academy (LGA) is excited to announce that project applications are now open for placement sites in the Municipal Intern Program! The Municipal Intern Program is a unique opportunity for municipalities to engage bright, enthusiastic students eager to gain real-world experience in local government. By offering internships, host municipalities not only contribute to the professional development of these students, but also build municipal capacity, helping their community complete projects otherwise difficult to dedicate resources to. Eligible placement sites include municipalities, councils of governments, and municipal authorities in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and Act 47 designated municipalities located in Western Pennsylvania. The Program provides a reimbursement grant to cover a portion of the intern’s wages. The deadline to apply to become a host site is December 3, 2024. Below, please find the 2025 Municipal Placement Guidelines for the program. Once you have reviewed these guidelines, you may find the application to the program linked here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/9auAjctuCiJAA23NIQdDTQ
The QVCOG would like to invite interested participants to register for the upcoming Hard to Recycle event organized by the Pennsylvania Resources Council. The event will take place on Saturday, October 26th at the Leetsdale Industrial Park from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Registration details and fees associated with disposal of items can be found at the link below. Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hard-to-recycle-collection-in-leetsdale-tickets-1014824285757  Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and Allegheny County Economic Development announced today that the application window for the seventh round of the Active Allegheny Grant Program is now open. This initiative provides financial support to local communities to help them plan and design transportation projects that enhance bicycle and pedestrian access to key destinations and transportation systems, promoting physical activity and increasing mobility among residents. "We understand that creating bicycle and pedestrian connections offers significant benefits to our communities, including conserving energy, reducing pollution and traffic, and promoting healthy families and economic growth," said Innamorato. "We also recognize that local governments may struggle to fund such projects while also providing essential services to their residents. This grant will allow municipalities to secure funding for improvements that might otherwise be unattainable." The Active Allegheny Grant Program (AAGP), overseen by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC) in collaboration with the Health Department (ACHD) as part of the Live Well Allegheny initiative, is open to county municipalities, councils of government (COGs), and non-profit organizations applying on behalf of a municipality. Multi-municipal applications are highly encouraged, though each municipality may submit only one application. Applicants may request up to $50,000 for planning and engineering projects. Proposals exceeding $50,000 will be considered if they demonstrate significant potential to enhance physical activity opportunities, connect to major transportation systems, or involve multi-municipal collaboration. RAAC staff will also assist grantees in identifying suitable funding sources for future project phases if needed. Projects funded through this program align with the objectives of Active Allegheny, the county's active transportation plan. By providing resources to design and develop safe, walkable, and bikeable community spaces, the program supports the recommendations in the Plan for a Healthier Allegheny The funding for this round is provided through the county's 2024 Capital Budget. For more information about the Live Well Allegheny initiative, visit (http://www.livewellallegheny.com), and for details about the Active Allegheny grant, go to (Active Allegheny Grant Program). 2022 Grant Recipients and Projects:
The application is open from September 10th 2024 through November 8th 2024. It can be accessed by going to https://funding.alleghenycounty.us. Contact person: [email protected] / 412-350-1049
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