A group of Hill District ministers says it is not seeking to divide the neighborhood but rather employ a "holistic approach" in pressing for jobs and other benefits relating to development of a new arena in the Hill.

The nine ministers, led by the Rev. Johnnie Monroe, pastor of Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church, met for 90 minutes yesterday morning with Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, representatives of the Penguins and other officials to discuss their demands, first raised in April.

The meeting came even as a separate group, the One Hill Community Benefits Agreement Coalition, has started negotiations with the city, county and Penguins on securing an agreement for Hill District residents that would include jobs and job training, economic development, social services, drug and mental health services, and environmental considerations.

At a news conference after yesterday's meeting, the ministers said they were not trying to usurp the work of the coalition but to supplement it.

"Our meeting this morning was not to discuss a second community benefits agreement as some people have said, nor to divide the community, but to seek a holistic approach and comprehensive representation where everyone -- public officials, the Penguins and the community -- wins," said Mr. Monroe, reading from a prepared statement.

The Rev. Glenn Grayson, senior pastor of Wesley Center African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, said a community benefits agreement was only one of nine terms the group sought to negotiate with the city, county and Penguins in an initial meeting in April.

In their statement yesterday, the ministers said they are looking to ensure that the Hill and its residents are involved in the arena project, from the demolition of buildings, which already has started, to the construction and beyond. Their goals include "meaningful" post-construction jobs, housing revenues for the community and a master plan for the entire Hill.

They said they were able to secure a commitment from city and county leaders on the development of a comprehensive master plan at yesterday's meeting.

What remained unclear was the status of a request for a $10 million payment, plus an annual unspecified contribution for at least 30 years, that would be directed to "the greater Hill District community's development interest."

It was included in the group's original list of proposed terms, but Mr. Onorato indicated after yesterday's meeting that it was off the table. The ministers said the issue goes beyond $10 million.

"We're not talking about $10 million. We're talking about the resources that are necessary for the redevelopment of this community," said the Rev. Thomas Smith, senior pastor of Monumental Baptist Church.

Mr. Smith said the group supports some of the work of the One Hill coalition, "but we feel there are other things that they are not focused on that should not drop off of the table. And to ensure those things do not fall off the table we intend to pursue the issues" raised in the group's list of terms, including the master plan and a percentage of development-related jobs and revenues.

"We will continue to pursue those issues because we feel they are germane to the future development of this community," he said.

Mr. Onorato described yesterday's meeting as positive, and said he and Mr. Ravenstahl are seeking to build a consensus for a comprehensive agreement in the Hill.

The mayor said that would include development, job opportunities, job training and an overall plan for the Hill.

"We're just right now gathering information and hearing from both sides on what it is they might want to see," he said.

With two separate Hill District groups negotiating, getting consensus might not be easy, but it could be a "way to make sure the right thing gets done, and you have buy in from as many people as possible in the community," Mr. Onorato said.

"It doesn't have to be easy. We just want to make sure we get it right. That's the important thing here," he said.

The One Hill coalition is set to resume its negotiations today. Carl Redwood, chairman and spokesman for the One Hill coalition, could not be reached for comment.