City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:00 P.M. FEBRUARY 6, 2019 This Meeting of Council was called to order on the above-stated date at the above-stated time after the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence in memory of Elise Paige and Mr. Nick Mellinger, who we lost way too young, by President of Council Richard Dellapenna. Prayer was led by Gladys Hunt Mason from the Ministerial. The following Members of Council were present: RC-1 PRESENT: JAMIE BREWSTER-FILOTEI, KEITH SOLES, RICHARD DELLAPENNA, JIM BARRY, LUETHEL NESBIT, TIMOTHY BROWN, BRIAN EVANS ABSENT: NONE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION: Mrs. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mr. Soles, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 2, 2019.” RC-2 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, BARRY, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (7) NAYS: NONE (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Received both the Fire and Police Reports for the month of January 2019. MAYOR’S REPORT: President Dellapenna asked for the Mayor’s Report. Mayor Cherepko said thank you, Mr. President, I will be brief and I mean that Mr. Barry, don’t start. Just two things, the first thing, just an update on the Demolition Project. We were able, I may have mentioned last month, everything goes so quick I can’t remember, to get our contractor to sub-contract with another company that we’ve used before to do the asbestos surveys and they are flying. It’s the best thing that could have happened. The other company, not [1] even sure who they were, but I could just say that they worked for months and months and didn’t have, probably 10 months and didn’t have the first 100 asbestos surveys completed. This company completed 100, the second 100 houses that this Council approved, 98, whatever it was, 99, they did so in under a month. So, the result is already coming back so I could tell you over the next, I feel pretty confident, that there’s just going to be houses coming down from all over that are on that list over the next 6-8 months. So, it’s very exciting as far as that project and actually getting it moving along. The only other thing I have tonight is I will be asking Council for approval of I think there’s not a person in this room that doesn’t hear me sing praises of the Police Department. I’ll say it in front of anyone, I think our Police Department is second to none. The men and women that we have that put their lives on the line to make McKeesport a better place to live, a better place to work, each and every day, I can’t say enough words about. It’s truly admirable. To the families that are home supporting their husband, their wife, the officer that is out there just looking to complete their tour to return home safely, hoping to never get one of those horrifying knocks at the door, it’s something that I have never taken for granted. I have always had the utmost respect but as I’ve said so many times before sitting in this Mayor’s seat and seeing what they do, especially this McKeesport Department, it’s unbelievable and I can’t thank them enough for what they do. Our Department, it all starts with the top and just recently Chief Washowich just retired and over the last 18 months we did, I had the opportunity to appoint Adam Alfer as the Assistant Chief, who worked so unbelievably closely with Chief Washowich. Chief Washowich has mentored him, has worked with him, and has assured me, without any question whatsoever, when Chief Washowich decided to call it a career after 25 years and 8 years as Chief, what helped him do so much more easily, as much as it was bittersweet for him, was the fact that he assured me without any question whatsoever that we would be in great hands with the Assistant Chief Alfer. So, in one of my proudest moments as Mayor as I sit here before this Council, I am going to ask you tonight for your approval, I’ll need a Motion, a second and approval to approve Assistant Chief Adam Alfer to officially be the Chief of Police for the City of McKeesport. So, with that I am going to ask you for a Motion. President Dellapenna said thank you Mayor and called for a Motion. [2] MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mrs. Brewster-Filotei, “to approve Mr. Alfer for Chief.” RC-3 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, BARRY, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (7) NAYS: NONE (0) Mayor Cherepko said before we bring the Honorable Gene Riazzi up and the Assistant Chief soon to be Chief, I just want everyone to know that as comfortable as Chief Washowich was I was every bit as comfortable. Chief, from the time you had the opportunity to take over as Assistant Chief, I could tell you without question you have exceeded my expectations and I know you are ready for this but I will tell you the expectations go to a whole other level now. There’s no question in my mind that you are going to do a tremendous job. I have relied on you a lot over the last several months when B.J. kind of indicated he was going to go and I am excited for you! It’s hard to believe that I also had the opportunity to grow up with you but who would ever thought that someday we’d be sitting here but with that, thank you Council. I know he is going to make us all proud and serve this City and this Police Department with nothing less than the utmost integrity. With that I am going to call forward the Honorable Gene Riazzi who can come forward and swear in Chief Adam Alfer. If there is anyone trying to take pictures. We also have our former Police Chief here as well, now with the Sheriff’s Office, Tom Carter. It’s nice to see you Chief, thanks for coming out today! Honorable Gene Riazzi said Honorable Mayor and distinguished Members of Council, thank you for giving me the opportunity to take part in this event. It’s a very good present for me to be here and the fact that I watched this young man soon to be Chief come on this Police Department in a very pro-active program at that time that Chief Carter initiated, 18 years old, just out of High School, it was something that was never done before. It was very progressive and it turned out exceptionally well. I’ve watched him perform through the years and today it is my honor to swear you in as Chief of Police. Just to make some comments about what the Mayor said too. Police Officers understand that it’s just the nature of the occupation itself, there’s the occupational solidarity of police is very, very unique. So, sitting down and watching things from my perspective of police [3] officers and I was a Captain of Detectives and respected the operations with 10 years of my career. So, I get a call from upstairs the Chief would want to see me and I’d just say to anyone who was in the room at the time with me I’d say I have to go up to the ivory tower. Well, I’d just like to say, and I don’t know if I ever mentioned this to you but there were times when the ivory tower could be a very, very intimidating place because the buck stops there. We can sit down if we have time to discussion the situation at hand but ultimately the last question that comes out is Chief, what do you want to do, and that’s where the buck stops. I have no doubt that Adam can do that. Now the presentation and the Oath said Judge Riazzi. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me to which Adam Alfer responded… I, Adam Alfer, do solemnly swear that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and that I will discharge the duties of my office as Chief of Police of the City of McKeesport with fidelity, so help me God. Judge Riazzi and all said Congratulations Chief! Chief Alfer said thanks to everybody for the support! I won’t let you guys down and I appreciate it. Mayor, thank you! Mayor Cherepko said other than that Mr. President, well Chief officially I can call you Chief and it means Chief, and without question the Chief of the best Department around. You know, people all too often you see a lot of the police issues that go around in the world around us and I could tell you that when you talk about the job that our Police Department has, you don’t see those types of issues here in the City and I think that speaks volumes about the type of job that our men and women do and I think it goes a long way when you talk about community policing having our officers that live in town, that are raising their families in this town and who can relate to the community, many of which are coaching. For those that don’t know your Chief of Police is your High School Wrestling Coach. Many of our other officers are coaching Wrestling and Baseball and Little Tigers Football and things like that and I think it goes a long way with the community. Chief, I congratulate you officially for the first time on record! Chief Alfer said thank you Mayor! [4] Mayor Cherepko said Mr. President I told you I’d be brief so that concludes my Report. President Dellapenna said thank you Mr. Mayor. CITIZENS IN THE AUDIENCE: When your name is called please come forward. Regis Mellinger, 310 25th Street. Thank you all, you all mean very much, a lot. Well before I begin the usual presentation, I want you to know that there’s 12-1/2 acres for sale in Christy Park, Riverfront Trail front. It is like, it could be anything. Really big former Fort Pitt Castings become McKeesport Castings Company, now for sale. Whatever you want it to be, you know, it could be anything. That’s what I wanted to let you guys know first. Secondly, now to begin the real presentation. You know, pain is a lot like a hammer. It can be used to destroy everything in sight which is easy or it can be used to build a house, depending on what you used to do. When I arrived on the scene people thought boy this Rege guy he’s crazy. He’s over here picking up garbage on the street you know, who does that, and that’s kind of true. You know, but it was at a time when there was a lot of hurt right here and you couldn’t really talk about it but you have to do something about it and that’s why I decided I can’t control what is going on in life but I can control how the street looks and that is one thing that I never really shared but it’s the truth for me and I was making some really good progress until it came to a point where I tried really hard to make a mural and I think it would be a really good idea. I know I had a social media post in January which confused a lot of people and for that I apologize but I really felt angst on that point because you know tattoo artists they are not from lifetime, rainbows and daisies. I kind of really felt for Amerita Ink for they, like I’m not a big fan of skulls either but I don’t know they really wanted to do something really good in their minds and that’s one reason why the Trail has become a really important thing to me. I really appreciate everything that you guys do for the Trail. Because trails are sometimes for people who really like to bike and sometimes are for people who like to go for a walk and sometimes trails are for people who just lost a dog and don’t know where else to go and they just want to look at the river for a longtime. People ask me though just sometimes you want to take your pain and make something really good for everybody, whether it be a street. In McKeesport I really want us to make the most beautiful [5] trail anyone has ever had. I want people to write about our trail and make it be so colorful and so pretty and so beautiful that it just brightens everybody’s day who walks upon it, every inch of our trail, because some people really need it. It’s been a really tough week and I appreciate everybody who has been a part of it and I think Amerita Ink can really be a good use in that. They are very expert artists in what they do and when it comes to making a really beautiful brilliant object, I think it would be really great if we could all work together and just make the most beautiful trail anyone has ever seen right here in our City. That’s all I just want to share with you guys. You know what I mean a lot of people think that some of my ideas are outlandish but really you guys have been a part of the past couple years because it’s something I look forward to each month just coming up here and sharing beautiful ideas, something I thought about. You know you guys are just a part of each month and I just want to thank you all for being there throughout all time, many times as I have seen you, I know some of you in various ways and that’s all really. You know, I just wanted to share that. I think there’s a lot of pain in this City and people could really use it to turn it into something really positive you know if we use it the right way. Just, thank you all so much, I appreciate each one of you. President Dellapenna and everyone said thank you. Dwayne Yeager, 615 Atlantic Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132. I didn’t think there would be this many people I’m a little nervous now. I’m not a talker, I’m a doer. First of all, (to Chief Alfer) congratulations, great foundation! Chief Alfer said thank you, I appreciate it. Off script, garbage idea, is not a good idea, it’s a great, grand-slam idea! A lot of people are going to follow suit on that. Run with it! Ok, guys, hello, good evening. I wrote this down. Thank you, thank you and thank you Mr. Mayor. Last month I spoke to you all about not normal train noise like we just heard, that’s normal, but the unhooking and hooking of train cars which broke my pains in my glass, knocked windows down, shook my house. It stopped! The whole month, not one time, just regular noise traffic. So, thank you so much! Whatever you did it come to a cease. Let’s hope it stays that way. Mayor Cherepko said you never now how long it will stay, let us know if it starts up again. Mr. Yeager said I am going to stay on you. [6] I have to say thanks to Jason, I am going to crush your name, I didn’t know you before tonight, Jason Togyer, wrote a nice article on that I am not a social media guy, what’s it called, Tube City, great response. He got response from CSX which was a bunch of bull. They told him what he really wasn’t the truth so thank you so much and that’s all I got to say. Thank you, guys, for listening to me! I mixed all my papers up so I am all rattled here. Mayor Cherepko said thank you. NEW BUSINESS: President Dellapenna asked Secretary James for New Business. RESOLUTION NO. 2019-004 – BILL #4 (INTRODUCED BY MRS. BREWSTER-FILOTEI) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ENVIRO 21, LLC. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mrs. Nesbit “to approve Bill #4.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or discussion and Mayor Cherepko said as I said earlier this is the firm that really helped us with the bidding procedure and I could assure you, especially on the last contract, we saved thousands of dollars from going with that new route so we’d like to keep him on board and see where else he can save us some money. President Dellapenna said thank you Mayor. RC-4 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, BARRY, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2019-005 – BILL #5 (INTRODUCED BY MR. BROWN) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE DEMOLITION OF CERTAIN DETERIORATED PROPERTIES IN THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, PURSUANT TO ORDINANCE #2253, SERIES 1962, SECTION 5, SAID PROPERTIES WERE DISCUSSED AT A PUBLIC HEARING HELD JANUARY 9, 2019. [7] MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mrs. Brewster-Filotei “to approve Bill #5.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or discussion and there was none. RC-5 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, BARRY, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2019-006 – BILL #6 (INTRODUCED BY MRS. NESBIT) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE DEMOLITION OF CERTAIN DETERIORATED PROPERTIES IN THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, PURSUANT TO ORDINANCE #2253, SERIES 1962, SECTION 5, SAID PROPERTIES WERE DISCUSSED AT A PUBLIC HEARING HELD JANUARY 11, 2019. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #6.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or discussion and there was none. RC-6 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, BARRY, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2019-007 – BILL #7 (INTRODUCED BY MR. EVANS) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, APPROVING A REVERSE SUBDIVISION REQUEST FROM JONATHAN STARK TO COMBINE SIX (6) LOTS INTO ONE. MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Mrs. Nesbit “to approve Bill #7.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or discussion and there was none. RC-7 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, BARRY, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (7) NAYS: NONE (0) ORDINANCE NO. 2019-005 – BILL #8 (INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO A [8] LEASE WITHIN 911 LEASING.COM, INC., FOR THE LEASING OF SIX (6) VEHICLES FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE ACCORDING TO THE ATTACHED TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($300,000) DOLLARS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020 OR ANY SUBSEQUENT YEAR. MOTION: Mrs. Brewster-Filotei moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #8.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or discussion and there was none. RC-8 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, BARRY, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2019-009 – BILL #9 (INTRODUCED BY MRS. BREWSTER-FILOTEI) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2018 CDBG PROGRAM. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mrs. Nesbit “to approve Bill #9.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or discussion and there was none. RC-9 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (6) ABSTAIN: BARRY (Solicitor Elash said Mr. Barry is abstaining as he is employed by the Boys Club) NAYS: NONE (0) President Dellapenna said now I need a Motion to Amend the Agenda to Add Bills 10-12. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve a Motion to Amend the Agenda to Add Bills 10-12.” RC-10 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, BARRY, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (7) NAYS: NONE (0) [9] Secretary James said that Bill #10 was tabled until the March 2019 meeting. Solicitor Elash said we need a Motion to table that. Mayor Cherepko said Council has to table that. President Dellapenna said I need a Motion to Table Bill #10. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mrs. Brewster-Filotei “to table Bill #10.” RC-11 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, BARRY, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2019-010 – BILL #11 (INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, APPROVING THE ROADWAY LIGHTING AGREEMENT WITH PENNDOT. MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #11.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or discussion and there was none. RC-12 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, BARRY, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2019-011 – BILL #12 (INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, APPROVING THE AGREEMENT WITH PENNDOT FOR EXISTING SIDEWALKS AFTER REHABILITATION OF JEROME STREET BRIDGE. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mrs. Nesbit “to approve Bill #12.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or discussion and there was none. RC-13 YEAS: BREWSTER-FILOTEI, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, BARRY, NESBIT, BROWN, EVANS (7) NAYS: NONE (0) [10] ADJOURNMENT: President of Council Dellapenna said I would like to thank everyone for coming tonight. That concludes the Council meeting and once again I’d like to congratulate Chief Alfer on his promotion! Thank you and good night! The meeting then adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council das [11]