City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:01 P.M. DECEMBER 1, 2021 The regular meeting of Council was called to order on the above- stated date at the above-stated time after the Pledge of Allegiance by President Dellapenna and a Moment of Silence in Memory of Harry Steel and John Gatchey. The following Members of Council were present: RC-1 PRESENT: JIM BARRY, RICHARD DELLAPENNA, JILL LAPE, KEITH SOLES, TIMOTHY BROWN, BRIAN EVANS, LUETHEL NESBIT Solicitor Elash announced there was a personnel meeting in the back room before the Council meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President Dellapenna asked for a Motion to Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of November 6, 2021. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Soles, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 6, 2021.” RC-2 YEAS: BARRY, DELLAPENNA, LAPE, SOLES, BROWN, EVANS, NESBIT (7) NAYS: NONE (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Secretary James reported that we received the Report from the Fire Department for the month of November 2021. MAYOR’S REPORT: President Dellapenna asked for the Mayor’s Report. [1] Mayor Cherepko said thank you Mr. President. I am maybe going to summarize some and maybe read parts of the Message, rather than read everything. Anyone that wants to see the Budget Message can see it on-line. We will have it in print, but I will read some and just highlight some. (Memorandum dated November 15, 2021, from Mayor Michael Cherepko to City Council Regarding Budget Message incorporated herein in full and made a necessary part hereof as attached hereto.) “In balancing the 2022 preliminary budget at $25,828,845 this administration has utilized the best estimate of revenues and expenditures and isolated as many variables as possible as we look ahead to the coming fiscal year. Many unique factors impacted the budgeting process as we developed this year's spending plan. The sustainability of the City of McKeesport, especially as we navigate the uncertain era of a global pandemic, is of utmost importance, and we intend to utilize every available resource to the best of our ability as we maintain a balanced budget and serve this community. Throughout this message, we will focus on revenue, our level of service, and community development projects that will continue the mission set forth by the McKeesport Rising initiative that my administration introduced in 2018. My goal was to make tangible improvements to our City's aesthetics and infrastructure while laying the groundwork for a sustainable budget that will include accurate, consistent revenue streams for years to come. As our City officials and residents are well-aware, this endeavor continues to be made possible through the 2017 sale of the Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport to Pennsylvania American Water. We have discussed at length over the years this transaction's role as a strategy to save the City of McKeesport from Act 47 municipal bankruptcy. A new factor that positively [2] impacts our revenue stream is the infusion of American Rescue Plan Act funds into our budget, which will allow us to avoid further financial hardship at a time when the whole world is struggling. These funds make it possible to uphold and improve our level of public service by recuperating some of our fixed expenditures while freeing up funds for much needed projects and programs. As we continue to improve our operations and steer away from budgetary shortfalls, it is more important than ever to increase our collection of existing taxes and fees. It should be noted that, even with previous tax increases, the revenue stagnancy brought on by the coronavirus pandemic was felt by municipalities across our region, state, and nation. It impacted the lives of people and whole communities around the globe. As we all work to recover from these still-trying times, I would not consider imposing any type of increase in taxes. Rather, this administration is committed to more thorough collection of what is owed at the current rate. As residents return to work and our lives continue to take shape in our society's new normal, it's important that we work together to get back on track. With that being said, our fiscal strategy in recent years has combined the decrease of staffing through attrition; investment in infrastructure and community development programs to grow our tax base; and, of course, the one-time sale of city assets. For many years now, our ledgers have shown the City of McKeesport operating with a functional deficit of several million dollars, for which we compensated annually with infusions of capital through the liquidation of smaller 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. In recent years, our successful operation can be attributed to the initiation and sustainability of the McKeesport Rising Project…” [3] I think it’s important to know that as we continue to do more with less the big focus is we have to continue to provide the level of services to our residents and to our business owners that they deserve. When you get to a point, and that’s kind of like where we are at, big numbers of staff and if you get to the point where you start expecting those services in a negative way and not be able to provide those services, then it becomes extremely difficult to attract new businesses and keep businesses here. Attract new businesses here, attract new homeowners here, new residents, whatever the case may be. We talked about the, “…$4 Million dollars that will be put into the Budget to target blight and preserve our neighborhoods with the aforementioned demolition contract(s), improve our infrastructure, promote economic development, and modernize our public safety operations. Through this project, we will continue to improve residents' quality of life, while guaranteeing the stability they will need in years to come…” “The FY-2022 budget reflects any salary increases for the 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, as payroll accounts for more than 40 percent of our budget, and roughly 25 percent is comprised of the aforementioned healthcare and pension obligations. As we acknowledge each year, these challenging costs are not unique to the City of McKeesport, and nearly every municipality and business across the nation faces increasing employee-related costs on an annual basis…” Just take our MMO for example, 10 years ago when I came into office our MMO was around 1.1 Million give or take, and for the last couple years now we’ve been up over 3 Million dollars. You could look at that and say it’s gone up three times, 3.2 something this year, 3.5 last year, but in all reality it was a much increase to [4] us because we pretty much for the most part have always gotten the same amount of State Aid. We’ve always been somewhere around that $700,000 to $900,000 in State Aid so if you had that out of 1.1, let’s just say we were even at 7, then the City had to come up with $400,000 or $500,000 because the rest was State Aid. Well now when you take that increase, a 2 Million dollar increase now becomes a 400% increase based on what the City had to put in, not the actual total fund but because of the pension aid not really changing. “To cover those costs, we talk every year about how the City cannot rely on a single surge in revenue to correct consistent problems. For that reason, City Administrator Thomas Maglicco and Finance Director Tasha Phelps will continue to tighten our budget in terms of expenditures. Chief Revenue Officer Matthew Gergely will continue to work diligently to increase revenues that are due to the City - ensuring better collection on delinquent taxes and fees while accurately tracking current and potential revenue streams. I am sure City Council is aware that we have continued to do more with less…” “Thanks to the guidance of Mr. Maglicco, Ms. Phelps, and Mr. Gergely, and through our departmental leaders' cooperation in adhering to their advice, we have shaped a balanced, detailed spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year…” and kept the taxes at the same rate. “…Now, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is helping to deliver immediate relief to individuals, corporations, municipalities, and larger branches of government across the nation. As written, the plan acknowledges that millions of American workers reside in communities that have suffered disproportionately through the navigation of the pandemic and its aftermath. The Plan provides critical support to these [5] communities by offering (a) emergency grants, lending, and investment to affected businesses through the Small Business Opportunity Fund and (b) direct emergency funding for state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to ensure that they are in a position to keep front line public workers on the job and paid, while also effectively distributing the vaccine, scaling testing, reopening schools, and maintaining other vital services…” “From McKeesport's perspective, the American Rescue Plan is filling holes in our budget where revenue fell short due during the pandemic. We are able to keep our essential employees where a loss in revenue was pushing our limits and was close to requiring furloughs. In all we do here within the City of McKeesport, it's important to understand that we do our jobs for the people who make up our community…” “We plan on incorporating American Rescue Plan funds into our spending plan as intended-keeping our frontline workers on the job to serve our community. Utilizing funds in that manner will allow my administration to support existing programs and introduce new programs that will further benefit McKeesport residents.” When I talked about the level of services, when we came into this Budget Year there would have been a good chance that we would have had to lay people off which would have made it even worse and I think of all things that’s one part where the American Rescue Plan has really come into play for us because thanks to the funding we are able to keep that level of service and restore a couple people that we did not replace during the Pandemic for that very reason as well. “…We will reintroduce grant funding in support of the Vacant Property Review Committee's acquisition program, which allows residents to buy side lots and other parcels that are vacant and tax delinquent. Qualifying properties can be purchased at their [6] appraised market value, and without financial assistance, the program normally requires applicants to pay approximately $2,500 in legal fees and filing costs association with the acquisition. I am proposing that we free a portion of our budget to assist with these costs in order to return these abandoned properties to our tax rolls…” So, to give you an idea, if we put $250,000 that’s 100 people that can purchase a property next to them at basically the cost of somewhere between $300-$500, because you have the $2,500 in costs that it cost to do everything and the other cost is normally just the appraised value that comes back on a vacant piece of land, $300-$500, that would be the only price they would be required to pay. “…In recent years, we have partnered with organizations such as Action Housing and Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh for household improvements for income-qualifying homeowners in the City of McKeesport. Through these programs, we have learned that homeowners are in need of improvements that fall outside the scope of work of these existing programs. I am proposing the addition of roof repair/replacement and sidewalk improvement programs to take on projects that directly benefit our residents while further improving the aesthetics of our neighborhoods…” We talked about the roofing aspect, there’s time that LuEthel Nesbit has multiple hats and through Action Housing they do Weatherization and many times they are unable to do the Weatherization because a roof is in horrible condition so that’s where the partnership comes in with them so that someone can now have a roof and get Weatherization all in one and not go without and we know what could happen when those types of things take place. “…The most visible improvements that come with the [7] McKeesport Rising Project are the infrastructure projects managed by Public Works Director Steve Kondrosky and the demolition contracts overseen by Community Development Director AJ. Tedesco. There is a certain satisfaction in the visual improvement that comes with paving a main thoroughfare that residents use to commute from one end of our town to another, or when we are able to rid a neighborhood of the handful of blighted structures that have had a negative impact on the community's morale…” Obviously, we talked about thanks to the Grant we will be able to take down the block across from City Hall. You can see a block down towards Minerva’s that has already started and some other buildings throughout. It’s hard when you are doing demolition, when you strategize about making the biggest impact. For example, we have another commercial building that’s down in that area that is really getting in bad condition and will probably beyond repair. But, when you get a number of like $200,000, that’s why we secure Grants because for us to use McKeesport Rising money for that, what’s going to help you more, that one vacant building going right there or for us to be able to turn around and maybe get 20-25 houses in neighborhoods so people don’t have to live next to these conditions, the health risks of mold, weeds, rodents, things like that. That’s where we are very fortunate thanks to Senator Brewster and our other funding partners with the MPP and Representative Austin Davis that we are able to secure this type of funding for these types of projects because it just doesn’t make as big an impact as we can make throughout the neighborhoods and we need to continue to try to rebuild these neighborhoods one block at a time. I mentioned RAD here a little bit, of course, our Fire Department will continue to do what they do under the leadership of Chief Tomovcsik and the McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service under the leadership of Bill Miller and the communities they serve will [8] continue to do everything as well. The RAD funding we talked about how important it is and how grateful we are for that and all the projects that go on, from the Easter Egg Hunt to Good Neighbor Day, Youth Fishing Derby, Movies in the Park, Summer Concert Series, Fireworks, International Village, Rib Fest, Hallow Parade, Salute to Santa Parade, Festival of the Trees, to all the volunteers and unpaid staff as well that organized that, I can’t thank you enough. I actually seen some, I don’t go on social media, I really don’t but someone pointed out something, a couple good things, and I do want to give credit to Council because there’s people out there talking about some of the events and of course you have someone that always has something negative to say. But some say I just think it’s wonderful we had Council there that take their time out as well and show up at these events and that goes a long way and I just don’t want any of you to think that goes unnoticed and most certainly doesn’t go underappreciated by me. I think we obviously we talk about COVID, we talk about a lot of the developments that have gone on over the last few years, the big one this year with what is going to happen with Pure Penn which is now True Leaf, you start talking about another possibility of 800 jobs, getting up to 1,000 here in our community. The nice part, one of the many nice things, not just all of the wonderful events that take place here, but you can come in and purchase houses in McKeesport that are very affordable and much less in many cases what they would be if you purchased them in other communities and I think that’s one of the biggest things we have. People say I can come in and live 5 minutes from work and not worry about traveling to work, have a beautiful home, nice neighborhood, taxes are not near what they are in other communities and when I say that I don’t want people to say well your tax millage might be here, might be there, but don’t forget if our properties are assessed less, in many cases, your tax rates for [9] that particular resident are going to be much lower than other areas so we are excited about what it taking place down there at Rivers Materials as well, and some of the other things in the downtown area and what’s going on at the Tube City Center. We will be looking to remodel the parking garage as well this year and many other things that go on. So, I will just go to the last one where it says, “…In each and every project we take on, my administration is investing all we have in making our community a better place to be. I'm proud of that accomplishment, and every council member, employee, and resident should share in that pride. We should be confident in the concept of McKeesport Rising as we make every effort to revive our City's economy, appearance, and morale. We must rebuild our tax base, improve our neighborhoods, and encourage home ownership - all while continuing to find creative ways to provide the services that McKeesport residents deserve.” I kind of just skipped around. I know the media will have the full message, but I am very appreciative of everything Council has done as well, as I mentioned and can’t thank you enough. I know I said it earlier but I do take the end of my report to just wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday and next time we meet will be in 2022 which will be not a Wednesday because every two years we are to reorganize and we are supposed to do it on Monday and there’s no need to really have two meetings. We will just come in, do our reorganization and also conduct normal business. So, whatever that first Monday is, our January meeting will actually be Monday, January 3, 2022. Have a wonderful Christmas, Holiday and Happy New Year! That concludes my report Mr. President. [10] President Dellapenna said thank you Mayor. CITIZENS IN THE AUDIENCE: President Dellapenna called for Citizens in the Audience, Mr. Mellinger, it’s been a long time, please come forward. Regis Mellinger, 310 25th Street. Mr. Mellinger spoke about tigers, the bridge and Christmas. there were no citizens who signed up to speak and asked for New Business from Secretary James. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION NO. 2021-037 – Bill #53 - Introduced by Jim Barry – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Setting Forth the Paydays for the Year 2022. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #53.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments to Bill #53 and there were none. RC-3 YEAS: BARRY, DELLAPENNA, LAPE, SOLES, BROWN, EVANS, NESBIT (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2021-038 - Bill #54 –Introduced by Timothy Brown – 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: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mrs. Lape “to approve Bill #54.” [11] President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments to Bill #54 and there were none. RC-4 YEAS: BARRY, DELLAPENNA, LAPE, SOLES, BROWN, EVANS, NESBIT (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2021-039 - Bill #55 –Introduced by Brian Evans – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Authorizing the Proper City Officials to Enter Into an Agreement with Mr. John for the 2022 Portable Restroom Rental Program. MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #55.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments to Bill #55 and there were none. RC-5 YEAS: BARRY, DELLAPENNA, LAPE, SOLES, BROWN, EVANS, NESBIT (7) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2021-040 – Bill #56 –Introduced by LuEthel Nesbit – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Appointing Mark C. Turnley as Auditor of the City of McKeesport for the Fiscal Year 2022, and Authorizing the Proper City Officials to Execute a Contract for said Services. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #56.” President Dellapenna asked for any questions or comments and there was none. RC-6 YEAS: BARRY, DELLAPENNA, LAPE, SOLES, BROWN, EVANS, NESBIT (7) [12]  NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2021-041 - Bill #57 –Introduced by Jill Lape – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Recognizing the LaRosa Youth Development Foundation as a Civil and/or Service Association Under the Local Options Small Games of Chance Act, as Amended. MOTION: Mrs. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #57.” President Dellapenna asked for any questions or comments and there was none. RC-7 YEAS: DELLAPENNA, LAPE, SOLES, BROWN, EVANS, NESBIT (6) ABSTAIN: BARRY (Solicitor Elash said Mr. Barry had to abstain as he is Executive Director of the LaRosa Foundation) NAYS: NONE RESOLUTION NO. 2021-042 - Bill #58 –Introduced by Keith Soles – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Approving a Conditional Use Request from Charles Ross, Jr. to Operate an Auto Repair/Welding Facility at 3100 Walnut Street, McKeesport, PA 15132, (Lot & Block 464-K-320), McKeesport, PA 15132. The property exists in a C-3 Zoning District. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #58.” President Dellapenna asked for any questions or comments and there was none. RC-8 YEAS: BARRY, DELLAPENNA, LAPE, SOLES, BROWN,EVANS, NESBIT (7) NAYS: NONE [13] RESOLUTION NO. 2021-043 - Bill #59 –Introduced by Jim Barry – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Authorizing the Proper City Officials to Execute all Documents Necessary to Retain Trifecta Team LLC as the City’s Hazardous Material Assessment/Abatement Consultant for all City Agencies and Projects. MOTION: Mrs. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mrs. Lape “to approve Bill #59.” President Dellapenna asked for any questions or comments and there was none. RC-9 YEAS: BARRY, DELLAPENNA, LAPE, SOLES, BROWN, EVANS, NESBIT (7) NAYS: NONE ORDINANCE NO. 21-017 - Bill #60 –Introduced by Jill Lape – An Ordinance of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Fixing the Number and Compensation of City Officials and Employees of the City of McKeesport; Levying Taxes for the Fiscal Year; Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2022. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Brown “to approve Bill #60.” President Dellapenna asked for any questions or comments and there was none. RC-10 YEAS: BARRY, DELLAPENNA, LAPE, SOLES, BROWN, EVANS, NESBIT (7) NAYS: NONE ORDINANCE NO. 21-018 - Bill #61 –Introduced by Brian Evans – An Ordinance of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Amending the Rules and Regulations of the Civil [14] Service Commission Related to Hiring, and Promotions within the Police Department of the City of McKeesport. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #61.” President Dellapenna asked for any questions or comments and there were none. RC-11 YEAS: BARRY, DELLAPENNA, LAPE, SOLES, BROWN, EVANS, NESBIT (7) NAYS: NONE ORDINANCE NO. 21-019 - Bill #62 –Introduced by LuEthel Nesbit – An Ordinance of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Amending Ordinance No. 19-008 and Section 201.06(r)(3) to Change Restoration Requirements Associated with Street Openings/Excavations Within the City of McKeesport. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mrs. Lape “to approve Bill #62.” President Dellapenna asked for any questions or comments and there was none. RC-12 YEAS: BARRY, DELLAPENNA, LAPE, SOLES, BROWN, EVANS, NESBIT (7) NAYS: NONE [15] ADJOURNMENT: President Dellapenna said that concludes the Council meeting for Wednesday, December 1, 2021. I would like to thank everybody and wish you a Happy and safe Holiday! The meeting then adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council /das [16]