City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:00 P.M. OCTOBER 2, 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 Reverend Brandon Mozingo from St. Stephen’s Episcopal. The following Members of Council were present: RC-1 PRESENT: RICHARD DELLAPENNA, TIMOTHY BROWN, KEITH SOLES, LUETHEL NESBIT, BRIAN EVANS ABSENT: JAMIE BREWSTER-FILOTEI, JIM BARRY Mayor Cherepko said just so Council knows, both contacted the President and myself, Ms. Filotei and Mr. Barry, and they were very sorry they couldn’t be here but something come up and they will be here next month. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION: Mrs. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mr. Soles, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 4, 2019.” RC-2 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BROWN, SOLES, NESBIT, EVANS (5) NAYS: NONE (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Secretary James reported that she received both the Fire Department and Police Department Reports for both of the month of September 2019. [1] MAYOR’S REPORT: President Dellapenna asked for the Mayor’s Report. Mayor Cherepko said thank you Mr. President. As I said earlier, I will be brief. I just want to start off I see Captain Halaszynski in the office, Captain Halaszynski here in the meeting and I want to thank him for coming out tonight. I know I mentioned earlier a few times because it seems like we are always talking about them, but I don’t want to, sometimes here in McKeesport we take for granted that we have a Senator who served here in McKeesport as a Councilman, as a Mayor, and I you know, is now our State Senator and we take it for granted, but I want to acknowledge Senator Brewster here today, thank you for being here Senator. It’s a pleasure having you. At this time, the only thing I am going to do tonight since we talked a little bit earlier, is go through our Awardees. We talk about our community message, or actually before I do that, do you want me to, I guess I could turn it over to the Lions Club now. At this time before I get into the Awardees we have our McKeesport Lions Club here and they have a guest with them as well, a gentleman that is going to speak, so I am going to turn it over to them and give him the floor and here you go. This is Past District Governor Kirby Marchand. Mr. Marchand said so I am here tonight because we have a McKeesport Lion who is very involved and has done a wonderful job and we have a couple awards. So, the first one is an International President’s Certificate of Recognition and this is, it’s a new initiative called New Voices, that basically deals, it’s women in Lions Clubs and also helping women in Lions Clubs and last year when I was the District Governor I was given the opportunity to give these awards out and I looked around and I thought there was an obvious person to get the Marketing Award because she does such a wonderful job of promoting the McKeesport Lions Club and so this is for Annette James. Annette, would you please come up we would like to get a picture. [2] Mr. Marchand said you might as well stay up here. This will only take; well it might take a minute. So, then there is an International Presidents Leadership Award that the Districts are asked to put in for and, again, Annette seemed to be the obvious person to put in for that. So, and this is the citation I wrote just for the award, just to give you an idea of what she does, ok. Lion Annette James who jointed the McKeesport Lions Cub in 2012 is not someone who hears of a problem or an opportunity for service and just sits on it, she takes action. Last Fall when she saw a news story about an Auction of unclaimed items, she contacted Pittsburgh International Airport Lost and Found area to see if Allegheny County Airport Authority would donate unclaimed eyeglasses. She was told to contact them again the following August. So, she marked her calendar and when August rolled around, she filled out the necessary paperwork and got them to donate 466 pairs of unclaimed eyeglasses for World Sight Day. Next August Annette will do it again. When talking with Lion Linda Boss of the Whitehall Area Lions Club, an Optician who makes annual trips to Guatemala and Haiti to provide eye exams and fit people for eyeglasses, Lion Annette learned that many field workers in these third world countries were developing sight problems, including blindness because they work long days in direct sunlight without eye protection. Lion Annette wrote an article for District 14B Newsletter the Cauldron asking Lions to collect and donate used and good condition baseball caps. As a result, she was able to turn over 8 large bags of closely packed baseball caps to Lion Linda for her eyeglass missions. When Lion Annette heard about the Pennsylvania Yellow Dot Program where motorists put a yellow dot decal in their rear window to alert first responders to check the glove compartment for vital information she immediately sent it to the Cauldron so that District 14B Lions would be made aware of the program. As our Club’s Marketing Communication Chair, Lion Annette promotes all of her [3] Club’s activities by posting articles in the Cauldron, the MB14 Magazine the Pride, and local newspapers. Lion Annette never lets an opportunity to do service and promote the many activities of the McKeesport Lions Club get by. She is an asset to not only her Club but also District 14B, all of its members and multiple District 14. Lion Annette has sponsored several Lions, six are still active. So, for that we have an International President’s Leadership Award, Annette. Annette James said I’d just like to say thank you, as usual I am going to promote things, so any old ball caps that you have please bring them to my office, drop them off at City Hall. There’s an app for your cellphone it’s called Be My Eyes, you can sign up to be a volunteer you may get a call and your call will be probably 5-10 seconds long. There are blind and low vision users who use this app just to get by in everyday life. I’ve gotten a couple calls, one was a lady wanting to know what color the pants were that were in her hand so that she could get dressed for the day, something simple. But it really helps someone so please download the app for Be My Eyes. Also, if you have any old American Flags you can drop those off at City Hall also. We help the American Legion recycle those responsibly and I would like to thank everyone in my Club for helping me with everything. They do a great job. Everybody here in purple, and some of them not in purple. Our newest member here, Jeff, you can’t do anything without having a team and it’s a great team that we have with our Lions Club, including Keith and Mike, and the Senator. So, if anyone else would like to join us please feel free to contact us. Lou, she is also a member. The Lions Club does great things. We do the, we work with the City, do the Summer Concerts Series, it’s a lot of hard work, Dan puts it all together. He does a great job. But, once again, thank you. Mayor Cherepko said I said earlier, the Lions Club is just absolutely incredible, they are so, such a critical component to the City of McKeesport for pretty much all of our recreational events. I [4] really don’t know what we would do without them. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart, not just as Mayor but as a resident of the City as well. I do have the awards for Living the Message Awardees for this quarter. I see Harold Owen in the audience and Angelia, Jennifer Vertullo, this has been something we started when we put out the Message of Respect, Dignity, Love and Hope and trying to select individuals that are living that message that are nominated from people. They contact our office through Jennifer and she is able to, the Committee makes recommendations based off the recommendations from the public and then here we are tonight. So, with that I am going to move through these four and the first one that I have in front of me is for Love. Living the Message honoring those who show Respect, Dignity, Hope and Love, Helene Moux. WHEREAS, the McKeesport Message Committee uplifts the values of Respect, Dignity, Hope and Love through community programming and other efforts; and WHEREAS, Helene Moux serves as the current President of the Ultrusa Club of McKeesport, a community organization dedicated to building a better community through members volunteerism and donations; and WHEREAS, Helen partnered with McKeesport Area School District to obtain Grant funding through Altrusa International to provide for dispense of the Canoes Afterschool Program with holiday gifts and weekend care packages to fight food insecurity; and WHEREAS, Helene believes that every child deserves a chance to succeed in life and if taking away some of their daily stress can help than she is willing to do her part. NOW, THEREFORE, as Mayor of the City of McKeesport, I do hereby honor Helene Moux as the Living the Message awardee for Love. You can also go to read about our Awardees, well I guess it already came out, in our Magazine. I wouldn’t know because I think I am the only one in the City of McKeesport that doesn’t get one delivered. Had to throw that in there. Our next awardee is another young lady that is without question no stranger to the City of McKeesport. It’s [5] not often you go to an event and don’t see her there. I can’t say enough about her I have the absolute utmost respect for her and this award, Dignity, is going to go to Barbara Williams. WHEREAS, the McKeesport Message Committee uplifts the values of Respect, Dignity, Hope and Love through community programming and other efforts; and WHEREAS, Barbara Williams has been a life-long advocate for education and what may be perceived as the unlikeliest of places, trained in traditional education and social work, at the California University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Pittsburgh, Barbara went on to serve special populations including those in the criminal justice system for much of her career.; and WHEREAS, Barbara has shared the value of education with the at risk population and her volunteer work with the Community Partnership for Minority HIV/Aides Prevention encouraging treatment and preventive care by distributing information and resources and was the first in the Mon Yough Community Services Social Work Team to be certified in HIV/Aides Outreach; and WHEREAS, in addition to her work in HIV/AIDES Prevention, Barbara is an active volunteer with the NAACP McKeesport Unit and the McKeesport Little Theatre. She works in the McKeesport Area School District as well. NOW, THEREFORE, as Mayor of the City of McKeesport, I do hereby honor Barbara Williams as the Living the Message awardee for Dignity . The next Awardee is actually a gentleman I got to know very well here in the City of McKeesport as serving as Mayor and I’ve known him a little prior to that when I was on Council, but it’s a gentleman that goes far back with family of mine who have actually known each other for years as well. Another gentleman that I have the utmost respect for and you will see him at all of our events. You probably see him in purple tonight, I think, because he is always out there putting his efforts to help make McKeesport a better place to live. So, that award goes to Ernie Oatneal. WHEREAS, the McKeesport Message Committee uplifts the values of Respect, Dignity, Hope and Love through community programming and other efforts; and [6]  WHEREAS, Ernie Oatneal is a member of the McKeesport Recreation Board; McKeesport Veterans Activities Committee; the McKeesport Lions Club; the Rotary Club of White Oak; and the Burt Foster American legion Post 361 of White Oak; and WHEREAS, with these organizations Ernie keeps himself busy volunteering at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank helping area residents with disabilities and participating in countless community activities such as Salute to Santa Parade, Toys for Tots Drives, Summer Concert Series, and more; and WHEREAS, a Vietnam Veteran himself, Ernie jumps at every opportunity to pay tribute to McKeesport service men and women from his annual participation in local events for National days of Recognition as well as special events such as bringing the Wall that Heals to our community in 2018 allowing him to join the City in honoring fallen comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. NOW, THEREFORE, as Mayor of the City of McKeesport, I do hereby honor Ernie Oatneal as the Living the Message awardee for Respect. Our last and final honoree, most certainly fits him as well when you talk about Hope. We’ve talked about him a few times tonight. We’ve talked about him at prior meetings as well, whether it’s the Bill that you have today with the building that is going to go up across from Natalie’s, the Peoples Bank Building and so many other properties that he takes pride in and whether it’s commercial or whether it’s residential, providing people with a good place to live, I could tell you, he’s a landlord so to say in that aspect, that the City wishes we had that kind of cooperation with all of our landlords. He treats people with respect and it’s always reciprocated and no more fitting than Hope for someone you talk about putting action where your words are and that goes to Jonathan Stark. WHEREAS, the McKeesport Message Committee uplifts the values of Respect, Dignity, Hope and Love through community programming and other efforts; and WHEREAS, Jonathan Stark is a local developer who is committed to invest in the McKeesport community, whether through the management of residential properties across the City’s neighborhoods or business developments downtown; and [7]  WHEREAS, Jonathan’s latest endeavor is renovation of the iconic Peoples Bank Building at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Walnut Street, a structure that sat vacant and unkept for nearly two decades before it was acquired by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of McKeesport and purchased; and WHEREAS, Jonathan sees the Peoples Building as a once in a lifetime opportunity and he strives to contribute to the sense of Hope associated with the McKeesport Rising Project as economic development continues in the City of McKeesport. NOW, THEREFORE, as Mayor of the City of McKeesport, I do hereby honor Jonathan Stark as the Living the Message awardee for Hope. Mayor Cherepko said congratulations to all the honorees. It couldn’t be any more fitting. We are proud of you and thankful for everything you do for our great City. The Halloween Parade is October 26th for the youth, we will get that out on social media and probably send some flyers to the schools as well, out at Renzie Park. And last but certainly not least, I got a little pink in my tie tonight as we go in October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So, for all the survivors, congratulations, and to those that have lost someone to this deadly disease, the battle will continue to fight on thanks to all the fundraising efforts and things and it’s the one thing when you deal with cancer that someway, somehow, it seems like it has touched all of our lives in one way or another, whether through a friend, through a relative, whatever the case may be. With that Mr. President, that concludes my report. President Dellapenna said thank you Mr. Mayor. CITIZENS IN THE AUDIENCE: President Dellapenna said next is the Citizens in the Audience. When your name is called please come forward, you are given three minutes to speak and state what you want to talk about. Regis Mellinger, McKeesport, PA, spoke regarding Trail safety. [8] Abbie Godolli, Outreach Service Organizer from Turtle Creek, PA spoke regarding volunteer opportunities. President Dellapenna called for New Business. NEW BUSINESS: ORDINANCE NO. 19-012 – BILL #57 (INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES) – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 12-6 OF 2012, PROVIDING FOR THE PURPOSE, INTENT, FEE AND APPLICABILITY OF THE ORDINANCE; REQUIRING THE REGISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY BY MORTGAGEES AND OWNERS, PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT, AS WELL AS REGULATION, LIMITATION AND REDUCTION OF FORECLOSURE AND VACANT REAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR THE SEVERABILITY, REPEALER, CODIFICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #57.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-3 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BROWN, SOLES, NESBIT, EVANS (5) NAYS: NONE (0) ORDINANCE NO. 19-013 – BILL #58 (INTRODUCED BY MR. BROWN) – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ADOPTING THE 2015 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE, REGULATING AND GOVERNING THE SAFEGUARDING OF LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS ARISING FROM THE STORAGE, HANDING AND [9] USE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, MATERIALS AND DEVICES, AND FROM CONDITIONS HAZARDOUS TO LIFE OR PROPERTY IN THE OCCUPANCY OF BUILDINGS AND PREMISES IN THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS AND COLLECTION OF FEES THEREFORE; REPEALING ORDINANCE #05-35 OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, AND ALL OTHER ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF LAWS IN CONFLICT THEREWITH. MOTION: Mrs. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #58.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-4 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BROWN, SOLES, NESBIT, EVANS (5) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2019-033 – BILL #59 (INTRODUCED BY MRS. NESBIT) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, GRANTING PERMISSION TO JONATHAN STARK TO CONSTRUCT TWO RETURN CURBS AT 200 FIFTH AVENUE, THE STARK FLEX BUILDING, AT BOTH THE FIFTH AVENUE AND MARKET STREET SIDES OF THE BUILDING. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Brown “to approve Bill #59.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-5 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, BROWN, SOLES, NESBIT, EVANS (5) NAYS: NONE (0) [10] ADJOURNMENT: President of Council Dellapenna said that concludes. Solicitor Elash said before we adjourn there was an Executive Session held before the meeting to discuss, to update Council on some contract negotiations, now you can adjourn. President Dellapenna said alright, thank you everyone for attending. That concludes the Council meeting for October 2nd. The meeting then adjourned at 7:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council /das [11]