City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:00 P.M. DECEMBER 6, 2017 This Meeting of Council was called to order on the above-stated date at the above-stated time after the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence by President of Council Richard Dellapenna in memory of Mrs. Sturgess. Prayer was led by Reverend Boniface Igba from Auberle. The following Members of Council were present: RC-1 PRESENT: RICHARD DELLAPENNA, JAMIE BREWSTER-FILOTEI, TIMOTHY BROWN, LUETHEL NESBIT, FAWN WALKER-MONTGOMERY, JIM BARRY, KEITH SOLES Also present were Mayor Michael Cherepko, City Administrator Tom Maglicco, City Solicitor J. Jason Elash and members of the Administration. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mrs. Brewster-Filotei, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 1, 2017.” RC-2 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, BROWN, NESBIT, WALKER- MONTGOMERY, BARRY, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Received the Fire Department Report for the month of November 2017. CITIZENS IN THE AUDIENCE: President Dellapenna called for Citizens in the Audience and asked Mr. Yager to come forward, state your name and address, and keep in mind he has three minutes. Walt Yager, 1919 Drane Merle Drive, North Huntingdon Township, PA 15642. I sleep in the Borough of North Huntingdon, but my heart never left the port of McKeesport. What I did is I handed out a piece of correspondence related to the [1] Vietnam War and the fact that I have an Application into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation to bring “The Healing Wall” to McKeesport in the summer of 2018. I know that I have talked to Mayor Cherepko and Senator Brewster on quite a few occasions. I didn’t know this was going to be a reality. There are only 50 cities that this is coming to and I received a Contract that McKeesport is one. The Wall that Heals is a replica of the National Wall in Washington, DC with 58,318 names on it. The Healing Wall is an 80% scaled down version of that. That document that I handed out to all of you folks basically covers a presentation that I made to the School Board but in order to get this done in three minutes I wonder if you would please refer to the last page, page 7. It’s a Contract with VVMS (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation). I have this Contract and I am going to be speaking to the young lady that coordinates it tomorrow morning but what I am asking is if it is agreeable to the City to have the Wall located on Jimmy Long Field. The dates that they presented to me would be August 9-12, 2018. That’s the week before International Village but the Wall would be taken down before International Village if it is set up. I need a place to locate it and I am hoping that the City of McKeesport would graciously use Jimmy Long to do that. In conjunction with that Contract there is not a lot of legalize in it but I want to be on the safe side from the standpoint of having someone look at it so I am respectfully asking Attorney Elash if he would help me in that regard. The other thing is when I put the Application in I used the Lions Club that I belong to as well as Burt Foster but for some of you that know me my dad was listed in Burt Foster. He was killed in World War II. He was a McKeesport Graduate of 1938 and basically this isn’t a LaRosa Fundraising Item or what have you but LaRosa is key to that because it’s reputably the first memorial to the Vietnam killed in action in the whole United States. Now, I took a tour of three other cities that the Vietnam Veterans Association of America listed as first, but in a traditional sense and in an unbroken sense, LaRosa meets all of that criteria of being the first and any funding that has to be raised, I will do that on my own. I mean I am not looking for any money, Grant monies from the City or what have you but I have an ambitious goal and the ambitious goal is there are 58,318 names on that monument, I want to raise a dollar for each one of those names on a National basis. That’s almost $60,000. I intend to canvass a lot of the Lions Clubs that make up the region, School Districts and what have you. I mean there are 24 boys technically that are from the McKeesport area. They heard the term McKeesport [2] 23 but there is one boy on the LaRosa Memorial who came from a broken home and spent his summers at the Club living with his grandmother and Sam LaRosa. He was the very last boy that was killed and his name was Lee D. Thomas. But, if you look at this whole Mon Valley there is more than 80 that were killed so when I open this up I want to open it up to the whole Mon Valley. I want to get a lot of publicity if I can once this Contract is done. I am hoping to get some type of a photo shoot that would include Mayor Cherepko, Senator Brewster, and also Mark Holtzman out at the School District. So, that’s basically my pitch. Like I said basically what I am asking for is Jimmy Long and for Attorney Elash to look at the Contract. There’s a lot of rich history around here and it needs to be known on a national basis. I came up short, if any of you saw the Vietnam War on public television. It was an 18-hour episode by Ken Burns. I personally met with Mr. Burns on the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address hoping to get McKeesport involved and that but they said that they had worked on this for 10 years and they had a myriad of issues going on so they suggested we get a hold of public television around here and kind of play on that. So, I guess I am kind of wrapping myself around an American Flag like this gentleman did one time when they won the WPIAL Championship. I have photos with him and Brandon. So, God Bless You, God Bless America! President Dellapenna said thank you Mr. Yager. I am sure the Mayor and attorney is going to work with. Yes, said Mayor Cherepko, we will work on that. President Dellapenna said thank you for putting this together. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Cherepko said thank you Mr. President. Before I get started I did want to announce that the first Monday in January is January 1st that’s New Year’s Day. That’s supposed to be when the Reorganization Meeting takes place so I think we are going to do it on Wednesday, our regular Council meeting at 6:15 p.m. Keep in mind our Work Sessions will be starting at 6:30 next year, right Annette? That’s when we advertised them. Annette said correct. Mayor Cherepko said the Work Session is at 6:30 p.m. on the first day of each and every month, the first Wednesday of each and every month. Annette said not in August. Mayor Cherepko said obviously not in August and we are going to do the reorganization meeting at 6:15 p.m. prior to that on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. [3] As with tradition, and you know I am not for reading, I typically just talk, but I do want to read the Budget Message into the Minutes, especially for the individuals who take the time out here. I find this Message to be very informative and I thought about just pulling out pieces of it but to me it’s, the entire thing in its entirety is pretty important and highlights some of the things that we have done this year and highlights some of the things that will take place next year and pretty much where we are at with this. Here we go, bear with me: The preliminary 2018 budget is balanced at $23,116,033.00 – reflecting the best estimate of revenues and expenditures and isolating as many variables as possible that can be quantified within the budgeting process. That being said, before we review the ins and outs of the attached budget, it is important to acknowledge the obvious difference between this spending plan and previous year’s ledgers. For years, the City of McKeesport has been operating with a functional deficit of several million dollars, for which we have compensated annually with infusions of capital. This mechanism was made possible by liquidating assets and using that revenue to supplement operating costs each year. This administration established a Mayor’s Reserve Fund that could support city finances in place of a standard surplus. Our successful operation can be attributed to the increased collection of various taxes and fees, combined with best practices to reduce expenditures including a decrease in staffing through attrition; investment in infrastructure and community development programs to grow our ax base; and, of course, the one-time sale of city assets. The last factor will provide critical in 2018 as my administration introduces a new plan to improve our city’s aesthetics and infrastructure, while laying the groundwork for a sustainable budget that includes a tangible, accurate revenue stream for years to come. We are set to close on the sale of The Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport to Pennsylvania American Water, a deal that delivered a $7,000,000 down payment that allowed us to break even and keep our payroll commitment while taking on necessary projects to benefit our [4] taxpayers in 2016 and 2017. This was a major factor in saving the City of McKeesport from municipal bankruptcy. As we complete this transaction in the coming weeks, likely before our next public meeting, the sale of this asset will bring funds in excess of $40,000,000 directly into the City. While the majority of these funds will be invested to guarantee a financially stable McKeesport for years to come, we have introduced a new $2,500,000 line item to our 2018 budget that will target blight, preserve our neighborhoods, and improve our infrastructure. My goal is to uplift McKeesport community by improving residents’ quality of life today, while also guaranteeing the stability they will need in coming years. As I have said before, the City cannot rely on a single surge in revenue to correct consistent problems. This sale will make the City whole. If invested correctly, these funds will give us firm ground on which we can operate a responsible municipal budget, doing our best to afford all of our residents the services they deserve. While we spend and invest this revenue wisely, we will continue to tighten our budget. We will decrease our expenditures by reducing our work force through attrition. I must say I am proud of our city employees for taking on more work with fewer hands, knowing wholeheartedly that we function as a team to achieve collective goals to improve our City’s financial outlook. Their effort shows great support for our administration’s motto of “Working Together for a Better McKeesport.” Thanks to the diligent work of City Administrator Tom Maglicco and Finance Director Tasha Phelps, we have shaped a balanced, detailed spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Looking ahead to 2018 our property tax rate will remain the same as will our Municipal Service Fees. Quarterly MSF Bills are $75 for each household, unless the homeowner is a senior citizen for whom there is a discounted rate of $60 per quarter. What’s important for residents to understand is that this rate does not entirely cover the City’s hauling and landfill costs associated with garbage collection. Therefore, another important factor of this budget will be the discussion of what each household can do to reduce [5] the City’s landfill cost by recycling responsibly using new bins funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. A new revenue stream was introduced in 2017 with the establishment of the Regulated Rental Ordinance which requires the registration and safety inspection of homes that are not owner-occupied. With a high percentage of our City’s residences being rental properties, it is important that we regulate these properties for tenant safety in mind. Minimal fees are associated with this process: $50 for annual registration and $50 for biennial inspection. While I anticipate this revenue increasing in 2018, as we got a late start with this programs’ introduction in 2017, this will not be a money-making endeavor for the City. Funds generated by the Regulated Rental Ordinance’s enforcement essentially cover the program’s operation, therefore making it cost neutral. MCKEESPORT RISING We all have heard stories rooted in ancient folklore of the phoenix rising from its own ashes, a magical bird that overcomes its mortality and through its own reincarnation is solely responsible for the future of its species. This image continues to serve as a striking metaphor for any spiritual, societal, or economic rebirth, and it is perfect for describing the type of renaissance many McKeesporters believe is necessary to rebuild our community. Municipalities across the Monongahela River Valley are experiencing much of what we have here in McKeesport. In each case, local officials are trying to rebuild whole communities that lost their viability when the steel industry collapsed in the 1980s. This event devastated our valley because it was the only industry here to support our communities. These towns, including McKeesport, didn’t know what to do. There was no way to anticipate the problems of a newly idled workforce or a growing stock of vacant properties. While we have known for quite some time that we cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the prospect of one particular industry, and that we must diversity our economy to guarantee sustainability of our business districts as well as our neighborhoods, there is much more to our current plan. We have made countless economic strides in recent years. We’ve [6] attracted new retail and industrial development; we’ve linked existing businesses with resources to grow; and we’ve partnered with state, county and federal governments to improve our bridges and roadways. With the sale of our local sewage treatment system, we are fortunate to have access to funds that will allow us to make continued improvements, specifically in the removal of blight and improvement of infrastructure. In 2018, my plan is to gain the upper hand in our battle with blight by demolishing more than 150 structures in the first phase of what will be “The McKeesport Rising Project.” It is no secret that blight can have a detrimental impact on the quality of life in any community. Blight not only disheartens residents and brings down the community’s collective morale, but it actually breeds crime. Plenty of research has been dedicated to urban and suburban communities across the nation, where government officials, police departments, and urban planners have tried to study the impact of blight. Locally, in 2013, the then Steel Valley, Turtle Creek and Twin Rivers Council of Governments developed a study to show just how much blighted properties cost homeowners and taxing jurisdictions throughout their combined 41 municipalities. Results of this study confirmed what we have known to be a significant blight problem in our region, and they quantified elevated costs associated with code enforcement, public safety calls and demolitions. That being said, by steadfastly moving forward in the costly endeavor of demolition, my administration is choosing that expenditure over the further detriment of our community. The investment of demolition far outweighs the toll blighted properties take on our neighborhoods. I would say the razing of these structures is a necessary step in our objective to rebuild. We can reflect on that magnificent image of the phoenix as we envision a proud, revitalized McKeesport bouncing back from a plethora of socioeconomic hardships. We can imagine a McKeesport with cleaner neighborhoods that are free from the dilapidated shells of homes that have become eyesores for our residents that do their best to maintain their own properties. We can work together to identify the sources of blight in our neighborhoods and repurpose that land for the betterment of our [7] community. We want to give our residents something which they can look forward, an opportunity for them to have larger yards through our vacant property purchase program, a chance to welcome new neighbors who may choose to build modern homes in our community, or an outlet to volunteer by turning a vacated parcel into a parklet or garden. When we eliminate blight, the people of McKeesport can envision something, anything, in its place. The possibilities are endless. In addition to demolition, a major component of “McKeesport Rising” is infrastructure improvements, and to the average resident, that means road repairs. Everyone who travels through McKeesport’s neighborhoods is aware that our housing stock is not the only thing to have deteriorated over the years. Our roadways have done the same. We have done our best to spread thinly the resources we do have and essentially to use band-aids like patching to put a temporary fix on a larger problem. My administration is looking at various machines that will improve our ability and efficiency in resurfacing our roadways. Equipment such as the Asphalt Zipper and the Dragon Asphalt Mixer and Rejuvenator will allow us to reclaim what’s left our current road surfaces and reapply these materials in the filling of potholes and the construction of a new road surface. This process is important because it recycles materials we already have and it uses our own manpower. We will not be held hostage by our reliance on outside contractors and new materials, as we were in the past, which will translate to a cost savings at each project level in 2018. Overall, the first phase of the “McKeesport Rising Project” will have the greatest impact. My administration will direct the condemnation and demolition of a significant number of abandoned homes in our neighborhoods and along our main thoroughfares. We will invest in materials that will allow us to improve our current infrastructure and maintain it for many years to come. Future phases of this project will keep efforts moving through a steady schedule of demolitions, road repairs, and other strategies. [8] As we take on this project, we will continuously work to find new development initiatives, business, residential, recreation, that will make our efforts worthwhile. REVIEWING FISCAL YEAR 2017 AND LOOKING AHEAD TO 2018 The following highlights reflect some of the accomplishments for the previous fiscal year and pave the way for further improvements in the year ahead. Looking ahead, the Fiscal Year 2018 budget reflects any salary increase for all of our four union Collective Bargaining Agreements to date, as well as their corresponding benefits. These costs historically have risen at a rate well above any modest increases in revenues. Payroll accounts for approximately $8,000,000 of our budget, and another 25% is comprised of healthcare and pension obligations. These challenging costs are not unique to the City of McKeesport. Nearly every municipality and business is faced with increasing employee-related costs on an annual basis. GARBAGE AND RECYLING My administration will continue to emphasize the importance of recycling as we strive to protect our finances and our environment. We will continue to educate the public to the vast amounts of material which can now be recycled. For several years, McKeesport has offered single-stream recycling, which allows paper, cardboard, plastics No. 1-7, glass bottles and aluminum or bi- metal cans to be collected by placing everything in a single bin. While some residents had small recycle bins leftover from a previous program most who recycled on a regular basis had to purchase large bins to accommodate their household needs. Thanks to a $216,934 Grant from the DEP, the City was able to purchase more than 4,000 recycling binds as well as a leaf collection machine. The city was obligated to match $24,000 to cover a portion of the project’s costs. Providing residents with household bins available in 95 and 32-gallon sizes provides a greater opportunity to participate in the recycling program. [9] City officials are committed to educating McKeesport residents on the dos and don’ts of our local recycling initiative and the bins offer more incentive to participate. We hope the bins will remove a barrier that was preventing some households from recycling, and we certainly thank the DEP for partnering with us as we bring this service to our community as it is a great opportunity to teach the value of recycling from both budgetary and environmental perspectives. Every recycled item reduces the amount of trash hauled to the landfill by our provider. That reduction reduces our landfill deposit costs and allows us to be an environmentally responsible community. This is an area where every resident can pull together to reduce a huge expense on a yearly basis. Businesses also can take part in McKeesport’s recycling effort by reporting their recycled materials to our City’s Public Works Department. RECREATION In Fiscal Year 2017, we continued to earn our keep as a Playful City, USA. We made significant improvements to the Jacob Wall Pavilion with installation of a new HVAC system, thanks to an $80,000 Capital Grant from the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). As we look ahead to 2018 we will utilize another $80,000 capital allotment from RAD to improve our smaller outdoor pavilions which are in dire need of structural and aesthetic improvements. With the improvement of these facilities, it is our goal to general regular use and steady income from all of the pavilions in our beautiful, scenic Renzie Park. We also received work that the National Fitness Campaign is willing to work with my office to find a funding partner and award a Grant for a State-of- the-Art Circuit Workout Center in Renzie Park. We will continue to offer our community’s favorite activities for children and adults of all ages in 2018; International Village; the Lions Summer Concert Series; the McKeesport Rib Fest, Patriotism Parade, Movies in the Park, The Easter Egg Hunt, Fishing Derby, Halloween Parade, Christmas Parade, Festival of Trees, and various fireworks displays. Thanks to the Recreation Director Jim Brown, our staff, and the countless volunteers from the [10] McKeesport Recreation Board, the McKeesport Lions Club, and the International Village committee, among other groups, these programs continue to grow year after year. With a $200,000 Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund Grant, we are developing a Dog Park and extending the Charles D. Lickert Walking Trail by one mile through a currently undeveloped portion of Renzie Park. This enhances our already beautiful asset and has potential to make our park even more appealing to residents from across Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties. This particular project also paves the way for an extension of the Greater Allegheny Passage to divert travelers to Renzie Park. Our local trail system already brings cyclists and hikers from around the world through McKeesport with interest in traveling the Great Allegheny Passage and the McKeesport Loop. Yet another opportunity for further development of this trail lies just a short distance from the Marina at Mckees Point, where Dura-Bond Industries soon will allow the City to obtain a right of way on their land with goal being able to develop a scenic point at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers. At the marina, we are investing CDBG money in the redevelopment of our fishing pier and the riverside amphitheater as well that one was $70,000. More than $170,000 in CDBG money also will be invested in community ballfields outside of Renzie Park such as Duncan and Fawcett Fields. All of these recreational assets will continue to draw people into our City and make McKeesport a wonderful place to visit. PUBLIC SAFETY I embrace every opportunity I have to say that McKeesport’s emergency services are second to none. Our Police Department, Fire Department and the McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service are staffed with professionally trained men and women who provide our citizens with first-class service and exceptional response time. In 2017, our Department’s budget was dedicated primarily to its daily operations in protecting our City. We remained steadfast on the MAPS (McKeesport Alternative Policing Strategies) strategy. This strategic policy [11] pushes the department toward obtainable goals to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and improve the quality of life for all McKeesport residents. Our primary focus, in terms of public safety, is to prevent crime through intelligent policing, collaboration with other agencies and making improvements to cut our own best, and make improvements to our own best practices. Our Police Department continues to work diligently in partnership with state and county agencies to remove narcotics and weapons from the City streets. We partnered with Allegheny County District Attorney Steve Zappala to install cutting-edge video surveillance in strategic location around the City. We also engaged in Operation Tiger, a collaborative effort with the U.S. Marshals to ensure proper procedure in dealing with offenders convicted of Megan’s Law Statutes. This included the physical confirmation of every Megan’s Law offender’s whereabouts and compliance with our Court- mandated registry. Also, through our local Community Development Department, the Police Department had access to up to $80,000 in federal CDBG Funds for community policing. These funds were applied to saturation patrols. With the ever-changing society in which we live, our Police Department’s administration, Chief Bryan Washowich and Assistant Chief Adam Alfer, is always reviewing departmental policies and procedures, utilizing continuing education and training programs, and maximizing technology to benefit the City of McKeesport and neighboring Dravosburg. The McKeesport Fire Department officially added a new ladder truck to its fleet in April 2017. This purchase was initiated in 2015 along with a new custom-designed engine that arrived late in 16. The additional of these trucks ensures our fire department’s ability to provide the highest quality of service to McKeesport residents. Under the leadership of Fire Chief Jeffrey Tomovcsik, the Department is continuing to collaborate with other departments, including Police and Code Enforcement, to streamline various services. Firefighters also have increased their training in rescue and general firefighting practices. As part of the Regulated Rental Ordinance, firefighters are using the International [12] Fire Code and Property Maintenance Code to guarantee safe conditions in local homes that are not owner occupied. The McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service continues to benefit from improvements to its base in 2015. Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians continue to provide excellent prehospital care throughout the City of McKeesport and neighboring communities including Duquesne Port Vue, and Dravosburg. Under Chief Bill Miller, who is an Ambulance Director and our City’s Emergency Management Coordinator, the City sponsors training and testing as mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Assistance Program which we know as FEMA. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS As acknowledged in discussion of “McKeesport Rising,” the number of abandoned structures continues to grow within our City and the negative impact of blight hinders our ability to revitalize McKeesport each and every day. In addition to this massive undertaking, we will continue to invest our own resources in demolition. In 2017, under direction of Public Works Director Steve Kondrosky, City crews tore down more than 20 dilapidated structures and we invested more than $200,000 in the demolition and county- mandated asbestos abatement of 22 homes through the CDBG awards. Both of these efforts will continue in 2018 as funds and other resources allow. We also will apply a recently awarded $100,000 in CITF Grant to a quarter of a million-dollar project on Bowman Avenue, which will include brick removal and resurfacing. The City is moving forward with infrastructure improvements, thanks to a State Transportation Grant worth $316,000. Through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, we will improve the intersection of Long Run Road and Walnut Street. A traffic light and turning lane will be added to the intersection, a necessary improvement allowing ingress and egress to the Walnut Crossing development. The Grant requires [13] a City match of $135,472 which will be paid in full by the Walnut Crossing Developers, Walnut Street Partners, LLC. This is a shining example of public-private partnership that will improve McKeesport’s economy. My administration and Community Development Director A.J. Tedesco are willing to work with developers who are committed to our community. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT My administration will continue to push a variety of business developments in the City, from retail to industrial with everything in between. Let us not forget the development we’ve seen with popular chains such as Dunkin Donuts, Speedway, Ollie’s, Family Dollar, and others as we look to what the future holds with new investments by manufacturers Pure Penn LLC and Dura-Bond Industries. These are two unique manufacturers who are helping to diversify our economy, and they have faith in our City’s economic future as well as their own profitability. These examples will continue to persuade developers who are considered McKeesport for their investments. We’ve also found that our retail developments, as they open, exceed corporate expectations when it comes to sales. With a major push for retail development along the City’s Walnut Street corridor, specifically in Christy Park, McKeesport is proud to welcome O’Reilly Auto Parts, who will demolish properties at the former Chick’s Grill location in order to develop a new retail shop. This year City Council adopted newly revamped zoning Ordinances, including incentives and a strategic vision to aid in the redevelopment of our former mill sites in partnership with the City of Duquesne through the Steel Rivers Council of Governments. We are continuing to push for development of property within the RIDC Industrial Center of McKeesport and other available parcels. In partnership with the Redevelopment Authority of the City of McKeesport we have taken ownership of two office buildings that otherwise would have sat vacant in our City. [14] Earlier this year the Center for Victims donates the Common Grounds Building at 410 9th Street for use as a community center and office building. Penn State McKeesport Community Center already is serving as the anchor tenant of this building where the University will host house health and safety outreach programs and other courses to promote financial wellness, life skills and other community needs. It also is a home to Pure Penn LLC, the Ninth Street Clinic, and other tenants. In recent weeks, Trib Total Media has generously donated the former Daily News Building. This location has been the informational hub of our community since The Daily News moved there in the 1940s. At that time, this publication was thriving in McKeesport and the Mon Valley and it was known for being more than a newspaper, it was a community institution. Today we have the opportunity to revive that building as a media center with potential to house a digital media company, satellite office for a community newspaper, and business incubators. We have received interest from a major Pittsburgh University that could enhance its curriculum in various media studies. Reinventing The Daily News Building could significantly impact our City’s economy and morale. Having activity in that location is sure to increase the foot traffic at other downtown businesses and bring a higher demand or additional businesses in that area. It also gives the city a strong reason to continue infrastructure improvements, including parking. I would like to thank Pennsylvania State Senator James R. Brewster for his involvement in this process and I most definitely would like to thank Jennifer Bertetto and Trib Total Media for working with us. The Trib’s generosity has extended above and beyond my expectations. CONCLUSION When we discuss the City’s future in terms of public safety, recreation and community development, we are really talking about quality of life. That’s why my administration’s motto “Working Together for a Better McKeesport” represents the notion that each of us is responsible for our City’s outcome. I wholeheartedly believe that we are investing all we have [15]  in making our community a better place to live, work and worship. We are building a better McKeesport one brick at a time, and this administration has laid a substantial part of the necessary foundation. The new “McKeesport Rising” initiative will allow us to tear down the old and start new in areas where this drastic approach is needed. I don’t want to say it will give us a head start, because my administration and previous administrations have been working to tackle the issue of blight for many years. McKeesport will continue to work through the same problems as many communities throughout the state and nation, where the cost of providing qualify municipal services increases along with an ever-decreasing tax base. In my role as Mayor and in your position as elected Members of Council, it is our job to ensure our City is as great as it can be. We must rebuild our tax base, improve our neighborhoods and encourage home ownership. We must continue to find creative ways to provide the services that make McKeesport attractive and sustainable for long-time residents as well as new families looking to start a life here. As I always say, there is no question that we must work together to build a better McKeesport. When I say together I mean each and every one of us, myself, Council, Department Heads, City employees, and all of McKeesport’s residents. I invite everyone to stay tuned, to pay attention, and to be active during the “McKeesport Rising Project,” as you will witness a true rebirth of our fine City. That, Mr. President, and I just want to wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday, concludes my Report. President Dellapenna said thank you Mayor. NEW BUSINESS: President Dellapenna asked Secretary James for New Business. ORDINANCE NO. 17-020 – BILL #122 – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, FIXING THE NUMBER AND COMPENSATION OF CITY OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF [16] MCKEESPORT; LEVYING TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2018. MOTION: Mrs. Walker-Montgomery moved, seconded by Mrs. Brewster-Filotei Soles “to approve Bill #122.” President Dellapenna asked for discussion and Mayor Cherepko said just a comment Mr. President this is a Contract with our Clerical Employees. It is repetitive, I have said it before, this is our Clerical, the ladies you see at City Hall, some of the other buildings. President Dellapenna said this is Bill #122. Mayor Cherepko said oh, this is the Budget, I apologize. I had my head down too long. President Dellapenna said we skipped it before. President Dellapenna asked for any other discussion and with nobody responding asked for roll call. RC-3 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, BROWN, NESBIT, WALKER- MONTGOMERY, BARRY, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) ORDINANCE NO. 17-021 – BILL #123 – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICERS TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AND EMPLOYEES OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY, TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 205 OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AFFILIATED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, CHAUFFERS, WAREHOUSEMEN AND HELPERS OF AMERICA, REPRESENTING THE CLERICAL WORKERS OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, SETTING FORTH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING COMPENSATION, HOURS, WORKING CONDITIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS, COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2018, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010. MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #123.” President Dellapenna asked for discussion and Mayor Cherepko said Mr. President I think now we are on the right page, I apologize for that. This is our Clerical Bargaining Unit. These are the same individuals that took major concessions on healthcare a few years ago and gone from where there was no [17] deductible being paid out of their pockets to a thousand dollars for an individual and $2,000 for a family, and that was the last contract. These are individuals that when people retire and don’t replace the work force, they take on any additional work you give them. They do so willingly. Never any complaints. They take it on with such a positive attitude that it truly amazes me. They know it is in the best interest of the City. They truly have a good understanding of the financial situation of the City as well and they take a lot of pride in what they do. Many unions and bargaining units nowadays would push, I mean they could push the issue and say on we need to hire, we need to hire, but we are down several full- time jobs there and they just step up to the plate. With this particular contract, you know it’s a 2-1/2% increase in the first year and 1-1/2% in the second and they are actually taking a wage freeze in the third year of their Contract and I just think that speaks volumes about their commitment to the City and I am extremely grateful, not just because of this Contract, this is just such a small portion. You know, this particular bargaining unit is individuals that I get to see on a daily basis, they are at City hall. I always take every opportunity I can to at least stop by and say hi and see how they are doing and to see their attitude and their work that they put forward each and every day, is just greatly appreciated by me and with that, there was one more thing I wanted to say about it but, other than that I just want to say thank you to them and I appreciate everything they do. RC-4 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, BROWN, NESBIT, WALKER- MONTGOMERY, BARRY, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2017-055 – BILL #124 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE OPTION YEAR THREE WITH BIG’S SANITATION, INC. FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE, RUBBISH AND RECYCLING FOR A ONE YEAR COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2018, AND EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2018. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mrs. Nesbit “to approve Bill #124.” President Dellapenna asked for discussion and Mayor Cherepko said as I said earlier when it comes to garbage collection, when you look at our budget 90% and above of our budget are fixed costs. Some of the big expenses that are in [18] there that maybe we can save down the road, this is one of them. We do pay a million and a half, give or take, 1.3 million dollars a year for garbage collections. So with that being said it is somewhere where we are exploring the possibility of us doing garbage collection ourselves moving forward and, for that reason, I am asking for an extension of Big’s Sanitation. I didn’t feel it would be very efficient or effective for that matter to really go out for bid if I didn’t want to give more than a one year Contract and being that we are considering in 2019 going into business and using a lot of our existing manpower, if we can save a half a million dollars or more it is something we are exploring and dependent on some other things out there such as businesses and things that we might be able to get in here that could impact this as well, it could even be a greater savings down the road and many opportunities could come from it without getting into details down the road, so at this point I am just asking for a one year extension. RC-5 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, BROWN, NESBIT, WALKER- MONTGOMERY, BARRY, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2017-056 – BILL #125 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICERS TO ENTER INTO A PEST CONTROL CONTRACT WITH PEST B GONE FOR A PERIOD OF ONE (1) YEAR. MOTION: Mrs. Brewster-Filotei moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #125.” President Dellapenna asked for any discussion and Mayor Cherepko said this is just we had some issues with our other one and this is a new contract, it’s a local guy and he came highly recommended and seemed to be very responsive and communicated well with employees and people in the building whenever he did come in on an emergency basis, so we are just asking for a contract. RC-6 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, BROWN, NESBIT, WALKER- MONTGOMERY, BARRY, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) [19] RESOLUTION NO. 2017-057 – BILL #126 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICERS TO JOIN WITH OTHER PENNSYLVANIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTING FUNDS WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL DISTRICT LIQUID ASSET FUND. MOTION: Mr. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #126.” President Dellapenna asked for any questions or discussion and Mayor Cherepko said Mr. President, this isn’t guaranteeing any particular investment, it just opens up another opportunity for us to invest when the money comes over from the sale of the Authority. I said it earlier, but in all reality, you are really limited as a municipality in what kinds of investments you can make but we are still, even with that, making sure we do our due diligence all the way up to the very end to make sure that we can get the best return on our investment. This isn’t committing to anything other than this would be an opportunity and this Fund houses many municipalities and school districts across the State of Pennsylvania. RC-7 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, BROWN, NESBIT, WALKER- MONTGOMERY, BARRY, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2017-058 – BILL #127 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICERS TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BOROUGH OF DRAVOSBURG TO EXTEND THE CURRENT POLICE SERVICE AGREEMENT AND SET FORTH THE TERMS THEREOF. MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Mrs. Brewster-Filotei “to approve Bill #127.” President Dellapenna asked for any questions or discussion and with there being none asked for roll call. RC-8 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, BROWN, NESBIT, WALKER- MONTGOMERY, BARRY, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) [20] At this time President Dellapenna said I need a Motion to Amend the Agenda to add Bill #128. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Barry, “to Amend the Agenda to Add Bill #128.” RC-9 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, BROWN, NESBIT, WALKER- MONTGOMERY, BARRY, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2017-059 – BILL #128 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF A PARCEL OF VACANT GROUND OF 21,870 SQUARE FEETO IN THE THIRD WARD OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT AND IDENTIFIED AS LOT & BLOCK #307-N-170. Solicitor Elash said this is required, we normally wouldn’t have to do this but the Redevelopment Authority is transferring a piece of property that is located in an area that was designated under a Redevelopment Plan at one time so it requires Council approval. Mayor Cherepko said I was just going to comment this is another new business coming to town. This is caddy-corner on Walnut Street from the Tube City Beer Distributor. I do want to commend Council President Rich Dellapenna for working on this and helping to get this business in. He worked with our Community Development, also Redevelopment Authority Director A.J. Tedesco, but I do thank you for your efforts Mr. President and A.J. for helping to make this happen. This is another business, construction business, will build a business and will house his business there on the corner. Right down the road we just had Vegely Welding buy all of that property down there in front of Harrison Village. You can see he is till doing work down there. We are really looking, our Redevelopment Authority right now is really looking to develop all of that vacant property along Walnut Street, all the way up to the Elks Building and even on the other block up from 13th Street on down we are looking to do that. That’s another thing I really didn’t mention in the Budget Message that we are looking to funnel some money into that as well so we can kind of start our own [21] Land Banking so we already have this property. Because that’s money, you have to use that money for development and I will tell you that’s a hot spot. We are getting calls and you can’t ask for a better advocate than our vendor that is already there. Ryco will tell you they’ve been in business down there forever and they love it. Ken Vegely is bringing his whole welding operations over and he is expanding and he is happy with everything working with the City, the location, everything. So, when we talked about big things happening, it’s not a business that we are talking about bringing in a 100 jobs right off the bat but you got to crawl before you walk and walk before you run and we are definitely on the right path. Thanks again Mr. President and A.J. for your work on that. President Dellapenna said thank you Mayor. MOTION: Mrs. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mrs. Brewster-Filotei “to approve Bill #128.” RC-10 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, BROWN, NESBIT, WALKER- MONTGOMERY, SOLES (6) NAYS: NONE (0) ABSTAINING: BARRY (He sits on Redevelopment Authority Board) (1) ADJOURNMENT: President of Council Dellapenna said that concludes our meeting and I want to wish everybody a HAPPY HOLIDAY, safe and Happy Holiday! Thank you for attending. The meeting then adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council das [22]