Pittsburgh City Council tentatively rejected legislation yesterday that would compel the use of a computerized system to determine which streets to pave.

Opponents argued either that such a system isn't necessary or that the city is already buying one, so an ordinance isn't needed. Councilman William Peduto, who authored the legislation, said it was needed to end the current system of eyeball inspections, paper rating sheets and alleged political influence that has governed resurfacing since 1999.

Director of Public Works Guy Costa said Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration wants a pavement management system and by week's end will likely choose from among seven firms that have submitted proposals. He did not endorse or oppose the legislation, and said a system would cost as much as $300,000.

"If you're doing this already, is there a need for this ordinance?" asked Councilman Jim Motznik, who joined Len Bodack and Jeff Koch in voting no.

Council President Doug Shields and Mr. Peduto voted yes in a tentative tally, and four members abstained. A final vote is set for next Tuesday.

Councilwoman Tonya Payne worried that a computer would favor primary streets and leave residential roads to deteriorate.

"The secondary streets are what we get the most complaints on," she said.

Mr. Peduto wants the city to assign each street section a numerical value, based on age, composition, traffic, complaints and other factors. Roads with the worst scores would be at the top of a three-year paving plan, which would be posted on the Internet. At least 90 percent of the paving budget would be spent on streets at the top of the list, with the rest available for emergencies.

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette review of this year's paving plan found that 46 members of the Democratic committee were slated to get fresh asphalt on roads in front of or next to their homes. Four of nine council members had parts of their streets, or streets very close to their homes, on the paving list.