Pittsburgh Council Finance Chair William Peduto will hold five special meetings on the city's pension shortfall and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's proposal to lease the city's public parking garages to partly fill the funding gap, the councilman announced Tuesday.

The meetings will start around 1:30 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays beginning Feb. 11, when city officials will discuss the state of the pension fund. On Feb. 18, outside experts will weigh in. Feb. 25 will feature an exploration of Chicago's experience leasing parking garages and meters. On March 4, Pittsburgh's proposed parking lease will be discussed, and March 11 is reserved for further discussion.

The meetings will be held in Council Chamber in the City-County Building, and are open to the public, though they do not include a public comment period.

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