City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING MONDAY 6:15 P.M. JANUARY 6, 2020 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 Mrs. Ethel Balas from St. Stephen’s Episcopal. The following Members of Council were present: RC-1 PRESENT: JIM BARRY, JAMIE BREWSTER-FILOTEI, LUETHEL NESBIT, RICHARD DELLAPENNA, BRIAN EVANS, TIMOTHY BROWN, KEITH SOLES ABSENT: NONE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION: Mrs. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mrs. Brewster-Filotei, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 4, 2019.” RC-2 YEAS: BARRY, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, NESBIT, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, BROWN, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Secretary James reported that we received both the Fire and Police Reports for the month of December 2019. We also received an Annual Report from the Fire Department. MAYOR’S REPORT: President Dellapenna asked for the Mayor’s Report. Mayor Cherepko said yes, Mr. President, I really am going to be brief, as a matter of fact, you can put me on the three minutes and you can [1] hit the gavel when I am finished. So, you can start, I am serious. Just a couple of things. I do want to mention Chief Tomovcsik, when you get into negotiations like we do at the Fire Department, it’s a stressful thing, it’s not as easy as people think but thank you Chief with all you have done with your recommendations as well and the rest of the administration as well. I did get our reports from the Police and Fire Department Reports and the one I wanted to note, and I know the Assistant Chief was here with us tonight but I don’t see him now but I saw 356 business checks last month and I think that’s fantastic. I told him that already. I told Chief Alfer. I didn’t have a chance to tell the Assistant Chief but just so the public understands your business checks are literally the ones that go on in the middle of the night. So, from anywhere from midnight to 7 a.m., our officers are getting out of their cars; walking around and going and leaving a little placard. December Holiday time sometimes burglaries and things and petty theft and things like that tend to increase because of desperate times and our Police were on top of that with the business checks and I appreciate their efforts. Two other things, snow removal. You know, bear with us. Steve is doing, we are ready, we are ready to go, we are doing our thing. You know the one day where we had the squalls and it comes flying across that quickly, but I will let the people know that with the large turnover because of all the employees that retired from 30 down to 17, and then we hired a few and we are going to hire back up to 20 for now, a lot of these guys are new plowing and we have part-timers that are working that are new. So, even if you have a CDL license and you are a CDL license, that doesn’t necessarily make you a CDL driver if you don’t have the experience if you know what I mean but they are out there and they are doing a good job. Steve, keep up the good work and we are ready to go with the weather. Last, and certainly not least is the garbage. The garbage contract this year they are going to try to pick up in 2 days, Monday and Tuesday. [2] There were a couple of areas I was already notified didn’t get picked up today. It’s the first time them doing it. You know, it should get picked up tomorrow. But it’s a change for people. We understand that but it will be a 2-day pick-up. I, for one, I can tell you I am 42 years old, I never remember having my garbage picked up any day but Friday. So, it’s a change but for the most part I think after the first week or two we should be fine. But, bear with us, especially with snow and things. They will also be doing recycling. I know that was not in your letter. They are supposed to be picking up recycling this week. I am hoping they do. So, and there was also a confusion in the letter, at the top first part of the letter from County Hauling, if you were to be a Tuesday, it said your day will be Tuesday and then it went onto the next paragraph and said your first pick up of the year will be Monday, January 7th. Well, what they meant was Tuesday, January 7th so some people put their garbage out today but it will be tomorrow that they’ll be picked up. So, it’s going to be a transition. We are going to have some time but I think it’s going to be ok. I know Steve is on top of things. We are communicating and if you have issues you can call County Hauling. If it doesn’t get resolved call my office. But, no question we are in transition. Other than that Mr. President, I don’t know how I did but that concludes my Report. Mr. Soles said you just made it in 3 minutes. President Dellapenna said thank you Mayor. CITIZENS IN THE AUDIENCE: President Dellapenna said no one signed up to speak tonight and called for New Business. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION NO. 2020-001 – BILL #1 (INTRODUCED BY MR. EVANS) – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Appointing Annette James as City Clerk for a Two Year Term. [3] MOTION: Mrs. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #1.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-3 YEAS: BARRY, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, NESBIT, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, BROWN, SOLES (7) NAYS: None Secretary James said thank you. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-002 – BILL #2 (INTRODUCED BY MRS. BREWSTER-FILOTEI) – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Establishing Regular Meetings of City Council for the Year 2020 and January 2021. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mrs. Nesbit “to approve Bill #2.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-4 YEAS: BARRY, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, NESBIT, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, BROWN, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2020-003 – BILL #3 (INTRODUCED BY MR. BROWN) – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Setting Forth the Paydays for the Year 2020. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #3.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-5 YEAS: BARRY, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, NESBIT, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, BROWN, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) [4] RESOLUTION NO. 2020-04 – BILL #4 (INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY) – 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. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mrs. Brewster-Filotei “to approve Bill #4.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-6 YEAS: BARRY, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, NESBIT, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, BROWN, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2020-05 – BILL #5 (INTRODUCED BY MRS. NESBIT) – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Appointing Marc C. Turnley as Auditor of the City of McKeesport for the Fiscal Year 2020, and Authorizing the Proper City Officers to Execute a Contract for Said Services. MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #5.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-7 YEAS: BARRY, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, NESBIT, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, BROWN, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2020-06 – BILL #6 (INTRODUCED BY MR. BROWN) – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Authorizing the Proper City Officers to Enter Into an Agreement with Ace Pyro, LLC for the Purpose of Providing Fireworks Displays at Renziehausen Park for July 4th (Independence Day), August 11th (International Village), September 7th (Labor Day), and TBA (Patriot’s Day). [5] MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mrs. Nesbit “to approve Bill #6.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-8 YEAS: BARRY, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, NESBIT, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, BROWN, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2020-07 – BILL #7 (INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY) – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Authorizing the Proper City Officers to Execute Any and All Documents Necessary to Engage the Services of Building Inspection Underwriters to Perform Building Inspection and Enforcement Services in the City of McKeesport for a Period Not to Exceed One (1) Year. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #7.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-9 YEAS: BARRY, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, NESBIT, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, BROWN (6) NAYS: SOLES (1) ORDINANCE NO. 20-001 – BILL #8 (INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES) – An Ordinance of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Amending and Supplementing an Ordinance of the City of McKeesport Effective October 6, 1956, and as Amended, Repealed or Otherwise revised by Ordinance from Time to Time, Relative to the Establishment and Maintenance of City Employees Pension, Annuity, Insurance and Benefit Fund or Funds, to Amend Certain Provisions of the Pension Plan or Program Applicable to the Police Employees of Said City. [6] MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mrs. Nesbit “to approve Bill #8.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-10 YEAS: BARRY, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, NESBIT, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, BROWN, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) ORDINANCE NO. 20-002 – BILL #9 (INTRODUCED BY MRS. BREWSTER-FILOTEI) – An Ordinance of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Authorizing the Proper City Officers to Enter Into a Contract with the McKeesport Firefighters International Association of Firefighters Local #10, Setting Forth the Terms and Conditions of Employment, Including Compensation, Hours, Working Conditions and Other Benefits. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #9.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-11 YEAS: BARRY, BREWSTER-FILOTEI, NESBIT, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, BROWN, SOLES (7) NAYS: NONE (0) ADJOURNMENT: President of Council Dellapenna said that concludes the Council meeting for Monday, January 6, 2020. Mayor Cherepko said if I may Mr. President, I forgot a few things, no I’m just kidding. [7] Safe travels said President Dellapenna and thank you for coming. The meeting then adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council /das [8]