City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING MONDAY 7:02 P.M. MARCH 2, 2022 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 for the folks over in Ukraine fighting for freedom. The following Members of Council were present: RC-1 PRESENT: TIMOTHY BROWN, RICHARD DELLAPENNA, BRIAN EVANS, KEITH SOLES, JILL LAPE, JIM BARRY ABSENT: NESBIT Mayor Elash said Ms. Nesbit did call me to let me know she was a little under the weather. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President Dellapenna asked for a Motion to Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of February 2, 2022. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Evans, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 2, 2022.” RC-2 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, SOLES, LAPE, BARRY (6) NAYS: NONE (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Secretary James reported that we received the Police Report for the month of February 2022 and also the, I’m sorry, the Fire Report for February 2022 and the Police Report for the months of January and February 2022. [1] MAYOR’S REPORT: President Dellapenna asked for the Mayor’s Report. Mayor Cherepko said thank you Mr. President. I feel like I talked for about 26 of our 30 minute Work Session so I am not going to repeat everything by any means. We talked about the demo, we talked about the paving projects, McKeesport Rising, talked about development down on East End. We are excited about all that, the demo in downtown, commercial buildings as well, along with businesses that are opening. The one thing I did forget to mention was we believe the traffic signal at the end of 48 and Walnut, we are getting very close to this actually happening which will also help develop that property. The old Biros property much more quickly. That’s a critical component of developing that property. So, we do believe, it seems like everyone is in compliance where they need to be so we will be very excited when that takes place. will be fairly brief. The fire seems like forever ago. Obviously, I think everyone is aware of the fire that we had in our Public Works garage. I do want to commend the Fire Department. They did an absolute incredible job of keeping the fire contained to the one building. If that fire catches onto the building next to it which is roughly 4-5’ away with a rubber roof, who knows what could have taken place, but that’s where we store a lot of our other plowing equipment, our smaller trucks and a lot of our other equipment. So, I do want to commend Chief Tomasic, his men, to keep that to that building, even though it’s a big loss, make no mistake, but by the time they got there, there was nothing they could do except save the other building which they did an incredible job at. Fortunately, we only lost, I don’t say only, but when you look at the grand scheme of things, we lost our 4 large trucks, those are our large plows, our tandems, our single axle, large [2] plow trucks. We lost a street sweeper. We lost a vector truck which was fairly new to clean out the storm sewers. We lost our paving machine, which was only about a year old, our roller for the paving machine, I feel like I am missing something, but those are the large items. Can’t even begin to tell you how overwhelming the number of calls that we had from surrounding municipalities, from our neighbors to the Valley to beyond the Valley, that reached out. In most cases, a lot of the smaller municipalities only had smaller trucks to offer us which in this case we didn’t need but I don’t want them to think for one second that it goes unappreciated at all for them to look out for a neighboring community at all. I can’t even tell you how many people, from communities to vendors, that maybe had trucks, different construction companies, I don’t want to start naming people because I will miss someone. At the end of the day I will name the ones we utilized, the County was instrumental in getting us a large tandem truck, Hempfield Township also lent us a truck, a large truck for us to utilize and we just so happen that about two weeks prior to the fire Mr. Kondrosky came up to me and mentioned to me that one of the vendors, A&H Equipment, they ordered a truck for somebody and it was a tandem and they only wanted a single- axle therefore they didn’t want the truck. So, at the time he said what do you think and it’s one of those things you know you could use it but do you need it, but then you look further and say what if we do need it, it’s going to take us during today’s day and age maybe a year and a half to get it. So, we said let’s utilize it, let’s go for it. Fortunately, for two reasons, one that we ordered it and two they didn’t deliver it that week, because if they had delivered it that week, we would have lost that in the garage. But they ended up scheduling delivery, believe it or not how close it was, it was scheduled to be delivered the Tuesday after the fire, with the fire being Sunday. So, it worked out we did have one truck and we ended up identifying there was nobody with trucks, brand-new trucks, there was one company in Northern Philly that had a demo truck, Co-Stars Vendor as well, [3] that we ended up going out and buying a single-axle out there, right Steve, that one was a large one, what ton, 18 ton, with the single axle and they take care of our main routes. So, we do have 2 of the 4 replaced. We also bought a used truck from White Oak, a large truck, they did replace their fleet and they were kind enough to give us a good deal on a truck to help us with our fleet in addition to that cause we realize we can’t hold onto the County truck and the Hempfield truck, so we purchased that one. We also have in our possession right now, Clairton, Mayor Lattanzi called me, they bought a new truck I think this year so they had one out of service, it needs some work, we do have that in our possession, fortunately we have mechanics in-house that can do a lot of that work and they have been more than generous as well with the sale price so we are going to make them an offer and they are going to be willing to sale it. So, we will most likely be purchasing that from Clairton and then we had another old truck that a dealer had, a large truck, older one but only had like, what Steve, 11,000 miles on it, it was a School District truck somewhere so we know it wasn’t abused too much at all and they are finalizing paperwork now so we can go purchase that. When the 30 days is up, I guess I should have known cause 30 days are not up, that would have told me we didn’t have a meeting yet, we will end the Emergency Declaration after the 30 days expires. We will not renew it. At that point we feel like we will have enough equipment in our possession to continue operating in a very efficient manner. We will be down some of our newer vehicles but we are going to look to purchase those vehicles, which might come in a year and a half but we have used vehicles in the meantime. That’s some of the things people say, what does the State of Emergency do for you? It allows you to purchase these used vehicles without going out to bid and things like that. The new vehicles they are all Co-Stars they are pre-bid, but once again I just want to thank all of those that reached out to us, even to this day I go somewhere and whether I run into someone and they said oh, it’s horrible, you know a shame, and I [4] know so-and-so from our municipality reached out and yes, they did. So, it’s just, thank you to all of them that reached out in our time of need and I can promise you we will always be there to reciprocate that if God forbid any of our neighbor’s experience anything like that. The Versailles Avenue Bridge is closed. It will remain closed. We are in the process of securing funding. We have engineers working to come up with a more detailed estimate of the cost. We had a wonderful meeting with PENNDOT and Senator Brewster to talk about different options there as far as funding and things so we feel pretty optimistic that we will be able to secure funding at some point, whether it’s through the federal level, state, whatever it may be, we have been communicating, I know Tommy has been communicating with Congressman Doyle’s office on a regular basis so we continue to remind them. We did have to spend money for the netting underneath the bridge but that allowed us to keep Ravine Street open. We had to close Ravine Street down for about 4 days as they installed the netting for debris falling off but the engineers are totally comfortable with that bridge being open with the netting, or the bridge being closed, but the roadway underneath being open with the netting. We made that to be a point that was not going to be a concern. Other than that, I think I talked about just about everything earlier, but it’s an exciting year and hopefully Spring is right around the corner. It’s amazing you know I taught for 12 years and you wished for now, you wanted 2 hour delays, you wanted these things as teachers and ever since I’ve been Mayor you just look and say alright get me to January 1st, now get me to the 15th, now get me to February 1st, get me to February 14th, get me to March 1st, once you get to March 1st, I shouldn’t say this but it’s like, ok, we are good, and you say that because even if we get a blizzard, typically you are not going to have the single degree temperatures and I have faith in my Public Works Director and our fine department to get the roads [5] much more quickly cleaned than what they would do in freezing temperatures in January. So, I think there’s at least light at the end of the tunnel as far as that goes. Other than that, Mr. President, that concludes my Report. President Dellapenna said thank you Mayor. CITIZENS IN THE AUDIENCE: President Dellapenna next called for Citizens in the Audience and reminded them when your name is called, please come forward and state your name, your address and proceed with your comments. Ms. Darlene Allen, 1712 Flagler Street. Ms. Allen wanted to thank the Mayor for his assistance in helping with a problem with her garbage and thanked Building Pittsburgh. Mr. Larry Goughnour, 10768 Bellview Drive, North Huntingdon. Mr. Goughnour spoke about an Eagle Scout Project. President Dellapenna then asked for New Business from Secretary James. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION NO. 2022-006 – Bill #7 - Introduced by Keith Soles – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Authorizing the Proper City Officials to Enter Into a Contract with Kraken Chemicals for Weed & Vegetation Control for a One Year Term. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mrs. Lape “to approve Bill #7.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. [6] RC-3 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, SOLES, LAPE, BARRY (6) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2022-007 - Bill #8 –Introduced by Timothy Brown – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Authorizing the Proper City Officials to Enter Into a Contract with DTI Development, Incorporated for a One Year Term for Grant Applications. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #8.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-4 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, SOLES, LAPE, BARRY (6) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2022-008 - Bill #9 –Introduced by Jill Lape – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Providing for the Appointment of Members to the McKeesport Recreation Commission. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Brown “to approve Bill #9.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and Mayor Cherepko said the only comment I want to make is once again, very grateful to our Recreation Committee for all of their hard work, commitment, dedication to put on all the events throughout the City of McKeesport throughout the year. Can’t thank them enough. Not just as Mayor but as a resident. RC-5 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, LAPE, BARRY (5) [7]  ABSTAIN: SOLES (1) Mr. Soles said I currently serve on the Board. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-009 - Bill #10 –Introduced by Jim Barry – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Approving a Reverse Subdivision Request from Valerie Polka, 1415 Patterson Avenue to Combine Lot & Blocks 381-G-368 and 381-G-366. The Property Exists in a R-4 Zoning District. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mrs. Lape “to approve Bill #10.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-6 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, SOLES, LAPE, BARRY (6) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2022-010 - Bill #11 –Introduced by Brian Evans – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Awarding a Bid for the McKeesport Rising Paving Project Phase III to El Grande Industries, Inc., and Authorizing the Proper City Officials to Execute all Documents Necessary to Enter Into an Agreement with El Grande Industries, Inc. for an amount Not to Exceed One Million Eighty-two Thousand Six Hundred Thirty-Six Dollars and Ten Cents ($1,082,636.10). MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #11.” Mayor Cherepko said also, I just wanted to mention, El Grande is the contractor we have used for a few years now as well. So, its opportunity, another minority contractor, and he has done an incredible job for us and he won the bid. President Dellapenna said thank you Mayor. [8] RC-7 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, SOLES, LAPE, BARRY (6) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2022-011 - Bill #12 –Introduced by Jim Barry – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Awarding the Bid for the McKeesport Rising Demolition Project Phase 5 to Minniefield Demolition Services, LLC, and Authorizing the Proper City Officials to Execute all Documents Necessary to Enter into an Agreement with Minniefield Demolition Services, LLC for an Amount Not to Exceed One Hundred Twenty-four Thousand ($124,000) Dollars for Phase 5. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Brown “to approve Bill #12.” President Dellapenna asked for questions and Mayor Cherepko said same thing here I know I mentioned earlier Minniefield is a contractor we have used for demolition several times so it’s another minority contractor that has really had an incredible relationship with the City and came in with another great price as well and they do incredible service. RC-8 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, SOLES, LAPE, BARRY (6) NAYS: NONE (0) ORDINANCE NO. 22-002 - Bill #13 –Introduced by Keith Soles – An Ordinance of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Amending Section 545.03 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of McKeesport to Change the Parking Enforcement Days and Hours. MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #13.” [9] President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments to Bill #13 and there were none. RC-9 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, SOLES, LAPE, BARRY (6) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2022-012 - Bill #14 – Introduced by Jill Lape – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Requesting a Statewide Local Share Assessment Grant from the Commonwealth Financing Agency. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #14.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-10 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, SOLES, LAPE, BARRY (6) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2022-013 - Bill #15 –Introduced by Brian Evans – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Authorizing the Proper City Officials to Execute All Documents Necessary to Enter Into an Agreement with Gregory & Martin, Inc. for an Amount not to Exceed One Hundred Fifteen Thousand Four Hundred ($115,400) Dollars. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #15.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-11 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, SOLES, LAPE (5) ABSTAIN: BARRY (1) [10]  Mayor Cherepko said for the record, Mr. Barry is abstaining because he is an employee of LaRosa Youth Foundation and that’s where this work is being done. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-014 - Bill #16 –Introduced by Timothy Brown – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Providing for the Appointment of Members to the McKeesport Housing Authority. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #16.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and Mayor Cherepko said these are all just existing members. I should have commented, especially Board Members, the Recreation Board was all existing members with the addition of two new ones, that Board was Ed Moslander who does a lot of the baseball tournaments and a lot of volunteering at the Easter Egg, taking photographs and things like that and Jordan Harper. They were the two additions to the Rec Board. This current Board is already all existing members, it’s just redoing their terms, there were a couple expired terms. President Dellapenna said thank you Mayor. RC-12 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, SOLES, LAPE, BARRY (6) NAYS: NONE (0) RESOLUTION NO. 2022-015 - Bill #17 –Introduced by Jim Barry – A Resolution of the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Awarding the Bid for the McKeesport Rising Demolition Project Phase 4 to Minniefield Demolition Services, LLC, and Authorizing the Proper City Officials to Execute all Documents Necessary to Enter into an Agreement with Minniefield Demolition Services, LLC for an Amount Not to Exceed Three Hundred Eighty-Six Thousand One Hundred ($386,100) Dollars for Phase 4. [11] MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #17.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-13 YEAS: BROWN, DELLAPENNA, EVANS, SOLES, LAPE, BARRY (6) NAYS: NONE (0) ADJOURNMENT: President Dellapenna said that concludes the Council for tonight. I would like to thank everyone for attending. The meeting then adjourned at 7:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council /das [12]