City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:10 P.M. MAY 1, 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 by President of Council Richard Dellapenna. Prayer was led by Major Melinda Jones from the Salvation Army. The following Members of Council were present: RC-1 PRESENT: TIMOTHY BROWN, JIM BARRY, KEITH SOLES, RICHARD DELLAPENNA, LUETHEL NESBIT, BRIAN EVANS ABSENT: JAMIE BREWSTER-FILOTEI APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mrs. Nesbit, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 3, 2019.” RC-2 YEAS: BROWN, BARRY, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, NESBIT, EVANS (6) NAYS: NONE (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Received both the Fire and Police Reports for the month of April 2019. MAYOR’S REPORT: President Dellapenna asked for the Mayor’s Report. Mayor Cherepko said thank you, Mr. President. Just some updates. Demolitions are moving along. We just released 60 some houses that have already been approved through the asbestos end of things and the contractor has 60 so they are pretty much coming down all over. We’ve continued with some emergency demos as well. So, we will continue to work on these 300 homes. The company that dealt with the asbestos has been an unbelievable move to be quite honest with you. They are really, they are now on the second, pretty much done with the second 200, or second 100. So, we are trying to work out something now. [1] Believe it or not but the very first 100 we approved isn’t done with the asbestos surveys because that was the other company. So, we are in the process of working something out to get the contractor to go with the company that he is signed onto now that we recommended. Paving project will be getting started. We are prepping some things down on Tube Works Alley for Tri-Wire, the new business in town. It will help them and those homes along that way. That’s in-house. We have a list of roads that we are going to try to get done in-house. I know they will be moving up to Grover, the 2700 block up through the 2900, from Freemont on down to Dave and Shar’s around the corner. I think that’s going to be the next place our guys move and then we will continue to go through there. We are going to probably look to put out a bid between CD and regular. We really want to get, I don’t know I don’t have the list in front of me, oh he does have it. Some of the ones might be looking at bid is Evans to fix up around the hospital after the houses come down. Fifth Avenue down there as well, parts of Versailles and Shaw are some of the larger ones and Marshall as well for a bid. In-house we are looking at, these are just some of the ones we just talked about recently. Peebles and Grover, Bailey Avenue, Library Street, Lee Street, Bridge Street, Park, Beacon, Freeland, Union, Diehl, just the intersection part, so there’s a lot we have on this list. And, on the list that the contractor did not finish yet, that he will be doing we have Soles Street, Cleveland Street, Grandview Avenue they need to finish, Summit, Monongahela Boulevard, I said Soles right, and Union is on there as well. So, we have a lot of paving going on, a lot of demolition going on as we continue to tackle these obstacles and continue to tear down the moral in the neighborhoods, whether it’s demo which attracts crime which brings down the moral. So, when these things come down, I think you really start seeing the moral in the community pick up. I think people then truly get more excited about their own properties as well and they see things happening. We wish it would have all happened much more quickly but it was not anything to do with this administration or this Council because I think the records will show you that we approved them the last 100 was probably last, done in July or, I don’t know, I think we had all 300 approved by the middle of last year. So, the first one we approved back in early last year. But, they are moving along now unfortunately Allegheny County, with this asbestos, they are just are putting you through a lot [2] more criteria, more expensive, more time, and the expense is probably the worst part because if you look at what we’ve done compared to what we could have done in the past, we probably could have tore down another 50-75 homes for the same amount of money, probably maybe more. I know some people are seeing some activity down in RIDC. We are still not at liberty to discuss that but we are excited to know that not only what we’ve been kind of hinting around at but there’s another business that is probably going to be coming in along side of that. It’s going to look a lot different down there when that happens. The Daily News Building, we are still very excited about what that brings. What the multi-modal funding brings for the parking garage next to it. The acquisition of the Peoples Building across from the Daily News. I can tell you that we will probably be able to announce another tenant. I am very hopeful that we can announce another tenant coming in the Daily News that would take up most of the other half of the first floor. I’m hoping to be able to announce in the next couple of weeks. We also have other interested parties that whether the Daily News can accommodate them or whether the Peoples Building. We had some go over and tour the Peoples Building as well for whenever the Redevelopment Authority sells that to the developer. New Century Careers is one that is going to be coming into the Daily News Building in one of the spaces in the back. It was probably a space that worked out well for us because not one that I really thought about renting out right away but it will work for them. I am trying to, training some machinist work and other training to really prepare youth or young men, but that’s not even, it could be someone that’s coming back for a second career. We’ve seen someone in their 50’s that was in one of the trainings when we visited one of their facilities down in Southside. This will be more of, it won’t be the full operations like that, but I think it will be a step in the right direction. I think this location brings a lot of opportunities to not just people on this end but throughout the Mon Valley that maybe have trouble getting to Pittsburgh. We have a transportation center as well so we are hoping this is just the beginning of possibly something that could be bigger down the road as well. Saturday, we have a Blood Drive from 9-1 that I am proud to be co-hosting in a way. We are not doing the work but we are just the names they put on it. The [3] real individuals that are really putting forth their exhaustive efforts to make the event a success will speak as one of our speakers tonight but the Senator, myself and Austin Davis, they kind of signed us on there to help push the event as well. So, if you get a chance, you never know when there is going to be a possibility that, there’s always a blood shortage and I think the opportunities that we run into someone, whether it’s a family member or loved one, or friend, it’s unbelievable. So, if you have the opportunity and you feel up to it make sure you swing by that. We also have a community clean-up day. If you are interested in helping out. Whether it’s to start your own group or whether it’s to join a group. I think Jennifer in my office has 14 groups now. Not all of them are very large but that doesn’t matter. So, if you have a group of 3 or 4 people you are still helping out and they get done and they get a couple blocks in a different neighborhood picked up, cleaned up, every little bit help and we, as administration, and this Council, not to speak for Council, but I know they are just as appreciative as this administration when you have volunteers that want to help clean up and help make the neighborhoods look a little better. So, you can call Jennifer. We provide garbage bags, we provide gloves, safety vests, and we are excited about the clean-up day on Saturday. Our recycling event last Saturday was a huge success. We had TV’s and tires coming from all over the place. We pretty much filled up the dumpsters for the most, huh Steve, four large dumpsters. So, it was a chance for people to get rid of a lot of these electronics that you really can’t get rid of throughout the year. Memorial Day Ceremony will be at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, right over here. So, if you have the opportunity to come out. We here in the City I could tell you always look for every opportunity that we have to really show the support for our veterans for those that have served, all the men and women that have risked their lives, all the men and women that have paid that ultimate sacrifice so that we can be here today in this very meeting. All too often people take it for granted but we live in the greatest Country on the planet because of all of those heroes who have served and all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. So, Memorial Day is an obvious day that we get out there and support but I will also go down to the Boy’s and Girls Club after that for their ceremony and as I always try to say [4] don’t ever miss an opportunity to thank a veteran. It doesn’t have to be on these days that are designated throughout the year. The Dog Park is moving along, I think I said that in the Work Session. We hydro- seeded you guys this evening, ladies and gentlemen and Council, we will be able to approve some paving this evening for a little bit of extra parking and some walking around the Park as well. So, we are excited, we are hoping I would say probably by next Council meeting at the latest it will be open. So, hopefully we can even do so beforehand if the grass is coming in ok over there. The Amphitheatre at Gergely Park is finished and we are excited with the opportunities that we have at Gergely Park. There is an event being planned, I don’t have the date or information right now in regard to the Committee of the McKees Point Development Corporation, a 501©(3) we set up to help develop the Penn McKee. They are going to have an event on a Friday night down there with some entertainment and things. We will get more information out to you. Oh yes, you may see finally, we have been talking for a couple of years now with the multi-modal money. That was multi-modal money right, streetlight? Multi- modal money that we secured a few years ago for the street lighting signals where Route 48 and Walnut Street come together, right down by Advanced Auto Parts, right by the mall, little shop that’s being built for 15 years that now has a tenant. We are hoping to expedite occupying those facilities once the streetlight comes in so you may see that going up as well right now. So, we are excited to really have that project going. Once again, you know, it’s all too often I think people think that we just sit around on things and unfortunately some things take time. You got to work through all the red tape and everything, but we are very excited, at that opportunity. You will probably see a new building going up very shortly down across from Natale’s, that’s moving along very well as well. I think we are pretty much getting there at this point they are coming to the final stages. So, without anything else, I have two things, I know I ran a little over. Last month we had the opportunity to promote a gentleman to Deputy Chief of the Fire Department because of the retirement of a Deputy Chief and we are required to replace the Deputy Chief Position. Jeff List was the Captain at the time so we had the opportunity tonight, through Civil Service Testing and interviews and written [5] tests as well, comes up with a list and tonight we have, I have the distinct pleasure of introducing you to a gentleman that has been with the Fire Department total years of about 15 and many part-time and they were converted over to full-time. One of our first part-timers we ever hired in the City. We didn’t always have part-time firefighters. So, with that, without no further ado, I’d like to call forward, so you can get a chance to place a face with a name, the new Captain of our Fire Department, Jason Arndt. Alright, with that, Mr. President, that concludes my Report. President Dellapenna said thank you Mr. Mayor. CITIZENS IN THE AUDIENCE: Next is Citizens in the Audience. When your name is called please come forward, state your name, your address and your business. Keep in mind you only have three minutes to speak. Mr. Vezzani. Ron Vezzani, 409 Walnut Street. Good evening everybody. I am the owner of Flash Over Fire Apparatus & Equipment Company which is located over in Tube City Center. Originally came and just wanted to show my appreciation to the City of McKeesport, Mayor Cherepko, for going out of his way to recruit us to move our business into the City. We are very appreciative Mike and I know I’ve told you that a gazillion times. We couldn’t ask for better accommodations. The City has been great to us letting us move in her and throwing our flag down, planting our flag. So, I just want to say thank you. I did have two questions or one appreciation and a question, but I think you answered everything for me there before. So, just thank you very much and look forward to being part of the community here as we move forward. Mayor Cherepko, President Dellapenna and Council said that you, a tremendous asset. Regis Mellinger, 310 25th Street. So, they tell me it’s an Election Year so I want everybody to win here, keep the team together. So, I came up with some Election Campaign Slogans you might enjoy for 2019. The first one, how about “Make McKeesport Green Again.” “Make McKeesport Green Again,” is the perfect campaign slogan for the candidate who has 300 homes set to be demolished. It reaches both sides of the aisles. Liberals love green things, technology, green jobs, green plants, you name it. Conservatives love to make something again, [6] whatever it is. There we go, “Make McKeesport Green Again.” And then, if you are not a politician, you have to have a nickname these days, so we got, “Dellapenna the manna, who’s the manna, you the manna, Dellapenna, Council Presidenta.” Also, running for Council we’ve got “Solid Gold Soles.” Who can beat “Solid Gold Soles?” Has sold so many homes in McKeesport, that’s how he makes McKeesport better, one home at a time, for Council. And I like sports, you like sports too, so do I, we got “Tim Brown from Downtown.” From Renzie to Crawford to anywhere else, people love playing basketball in McKeesport and it would be a great campaign slogan that reaches so many people, plus everybody dreams of a bustling downtown, that’s why I am looking for “Tim Brown for Downtown.” And have you been to PWX Wrestling? I know we have seen the rumble in the Park. So, that’s why I am going for “Wrestling Luethel Nesbit.” When you need someone to fix the problems McKeesport faces from the top turnbuckle, you need “Wrestling Luethel Nesbit” for Council, oh yea. So, I know Angel Gate Women’s Wrestling is coming up May 25th, it’s a fantastic event, very entertaining. Who can forget Muhammad Ali Eugene Riazzi? Floats like a butterfly, judges like a bee. Judge Geno is not afraid to take a punch for the City he loves, which is exactly why everyone is glad he’s the Judge. Fair, honest, gentleman, Judge Geno, which he is here. Also, for School Director we got “Shorts Mike Shelly,” always wearing shorts and always the shortest guy in the room. Mike Shelly is a pretty good guy in my opinion but who can forget, “Steve Harvey Kondrosky?” “Steve Harvey Kondrosky” I see the resemblance; I think he’s a great guy. Survey says everybody likes Steve Harvey so you can’t go wrong with such a name like that, that will win you the Election. Sometimes, on the internet these days you’ve got to throw some jazz at these people, you know that’s just the way you get all the likes, hahas, and shares. So, we all know about “Messy Jessy Henderson,” I mean he might be a nice guy, I don’t know him personally so don’t tell him I said that but “Messy Jessy Henderson,” I don’t know him yet. The last one might actually work, so Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1951 had a very similar Campaign Slogan, it was “I Like Ike,” so we could just make “I Like Mike for Mayor” this year, very similar to Dwight D. Eisenhower’s “I Like Ike.” He was General at the time and then he became President and I tell you what if you use these campaign slogans, they are guaranteed to win in 2019 so good luck in all of your Elections and that’s all I have today. [7] Mayor Cherepko said I would like the record to show that we are not engaging in political activity at our Council meeting. With that being said, do you have the copyrights to those? It’s funny you know I actually had “I Like Mike” buttons. Mr. Mellinger said oh really. Mayor Cherepko said yea, and that’s where I got it from, so I did that, it’s funny you said that, thank you Regis. Martha Rial, newly hired Project Manager for the Center Media Innovation for McKeesport Community Newsroom. I have been hired to work 16 hours a week and my task is to get McKeesporters, is that how it goes, excited about story telling again. So, we are going to start in a couple of weeks with a writers’ group, drop-in writers’ group. No experience needed. I have a facilitator who is a writing professor who has volunteering her time and we are going to play word games; we are just going to start embracing with the love of writing. I have photo safaris planned. I have already been working with Mr. Harold and Youth Cast in the past year. So, you are going to be seeing a little bit more of me around town, but in order to make this project successful I need all of you to help me get the word out that we are going to be there. I am going to have regular office hours hopefully in the near future but we are going to start embracing storytelling, and I am based on the second floor, I think it’s the second floor, of Tube City Center. Please consider joining our writers’ group. The first meeting is May 14 at 6 p.m. Everyone said thank you. Mayor Cherepko said we’ve had the opportunity, I can’t remember which year of my administration, but it was pretty early on, that’s when we came up with the Youth Cast and got Tina Fitzpatrick to really become our Outreach Specialist for the City. We came up with Youth cast. Harold has worked with it from the beginning as well and I think you’ve seen a lot of collaborative efforts with these different groups and I think this is another great opportunity for McKeesporters to truly take advantage of and participate in. So, we are excited. Donna Byrne, 2913 Grover Street. I am President of McKeesport Lions and I am just here, like the Mayor told you, we are having that Blood Drive on Saturday, 9 to 2 at the Palisades. We need an arm. They are relying on McKeesport to save the day because there is a big shortage. She sent me an e-mail today and said get people out there. So, we appreciate it. Thank you! [8] Mayor Cherepko said, Mr. President before you start, I don’t want to be out of order, but I did want to comment, I don’t see anybody here, but the on-going issue of MacIntosh, they are out there now working. So, that’s probably why I don’t think you see any residents from McIntosh because they see something is getting done. Once again, you talk about time, that was out of our hands. When you get into engineers and engineers make recommendations, we then hire a contractor, a contractor has to get started, get the materials and do everything. So, it’s been a process but I wanted to make sure Council knew they are up there working. Solicitor Elash said at the start of New Business I’d like to note for the record that Council held an Executive Session after its Personnel Committee meeting to discuss a Personnel matter and at this time I’d like to ask Council for a Motion to authorize the proper City officers to execute an Agreement to settle the personnel matter per the terms discussed in Executive Session. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve the Motion outlined by the Solicitor.” RC-3 YEAS: BARRY, DELLAPENNA, NESBIT, EVANS (4) ABSTAIN: BROWN, SOLES (2) NAYS: NONE (0) Solicitor Elash said I’d like to note for the record Mr. Brown and Mr. Soles both abstained for potential conflicts of interest. NEW BUSINESS: President Dellapenna asked Secretary James for New Business. ORDINANCE NO. 19-005 – BILL #25 (INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES) – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE #92-11, #2379 SERIES 1967, AND #96-8 OF 1996, PROHIBITING UNNECESSARY NOISES BY THE USE OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT; DEFINING THE HOURS FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. [9] MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Mrs. Nesbit “to approve Bill #25.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and Solicitor Elash said this Bill simply amends the current Ordinance to note that it does not apply for Industrial areas that are zoned for Industrial use. RC-4 YEAS: BROWN, BARRY, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, NESBIT, EVANS (6) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2019-21 – BILL #26 (INTRODUCED BY MR. EVANS) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE SELECTION OF ABM BUILDING SOLUTIONS, LLC THROUGH FAR 552.238-79 USE OF FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE CONTRACTS BY NON-FEDERAL ENTITIES (JUL 2016) TO CONDUCT AN INVESTMENT GRADE AUDIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PENNSYLVANIA ACT 77 OF 2004, ACT 39 OF 2010, 163 OF 2016 OR OTHER PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATION. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Brown “to approve Bill #26.” President Dellapenna asked for questions and Mayor Cherepko said we talked about it during Work Session. RC-5 YEAS: BROWN, BARRY, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, NESBIT, EVANS (6) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2019-022 – BILL #27 (INTRODUCED BY MRS. NESBIT) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR $2,951,000.00 TO BE USED FOR TRAIL MODIFICATIONS AND PARKING IMPROVEMENTS. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #27.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments or discussion and there was none. RC-6 YEAS: BROWN, BARRY, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, NESBIT, EVANS (6) NAYS: NONE (0) [10] RESOLUTION NO. 2019-023 – BILL #28 (INTRODUCED BY MR. BROWN) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AWARDING THE BID FOR THE RENZIEHAUSEN PARK PARKING LOT EXPANSION TO LUTTERMAN EXCAVATING, LLC AND AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH LUTTERMAN EXCAVATING, LLC FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $115,220 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARKING LOT EXPANSION. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #28.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments or discussion and there was none. RC-7 YEAS: BROWN, BARRY, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, NESBIT, EVANS (6) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2019-024 – BILL #29 (INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY) – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AWARDING THE BID FOR THE DOG PARK PARKING LOT CONSTRUCTION TO LUTTERMAN EXCAVATING, LLC AND AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH LUTTERMAN EXCAVATING, LLC FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $80,066.20 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DOG PARK PARKING LOT. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #29.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments or discussion and there was none. RC-8 YEAS: BROWN, BARRY, SOLES, DELLAPENNA, NESBIT, EVANS (6) NAYS: NONE (0) Mayor Cherepko said Mr. President, I’m sorry, I know we are all finished, I just want to remind everyone, especially our faithful residents that come out here to see what’s going on that our summer meetings, June and July, will be on the first Tuesday of the month, rather than Wednesday, so it will be Tuesday, June 4, and [11] Tuesday, July 2. We really wanted to move the July one away from the 4th of July and just figured to do June too so no one gets confused. President Dellapenna said thank you Mayor. ADJOURNMENT: President of Council Dellapenna said I’d like to thank everyone for coming and that concludes the Meeting. 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 [12]