City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM March 1, 2023 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 McKeesport Police Officer Sean Sluganski and Walter Chuchla of the McKeesport Ambulance Authority and for the “senseless violence plaguing our City.” The following members of Council were present: RC-1 Present: Mr. Brown Mr. Barry Ms. Lape President Dellapenna Mr. Soles Mr. Evans Vice President Nesbit Absent: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President Dellapenna asked for a Motion to Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of February 1, 2023. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Brown, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 1, 2023.” RC-2 YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: NONE (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Jennifer Vertullo reported that we received both the Police and Fire reports for the month of February 2023. President Dellapenna said thank you. MAYORS REPORT: Mayor Cherepko reported that he gave a detailed report during the Work Session. “It was a long lecture and long briefing of many of the things we face today. The last month has been extremely difficult for the City of McKeesport. Early in the month, there was an incident in which we lost one of our officers, Officer Sluganski, who was one of the absolutely incredible police officers that we have in the City of McKeesport. We take it for granted that the men and women of our police department go out to protect and serve each and every day. We take it for granted that they are putting their lives on the line. We live in a different world today. It’s not just in McKeesport; it’s everywhere. There’s a different outlook on police. It’s the mindset of many. There are violent offenders who have no fear. You have men and women who want to do their job, complete their tour, and return home safely. We don’t think about their families who sit at home while their loved one is doing what he or she loves in a very heroic way. They’re dreading and praying that they never have to get a phone call or someone showing up to their house giving them the news that Officer Sluganski’s family had to deal with. I had a letter that I wrote when I put my thoughts together. I will enter it into the record today. Please know to get these men and women back to work has not been easy. Some of them have not returned. They are taking the time they need to get help and seeking the help to get their minds right to face what they face each and every day. It’s been an absolute nightmare. You read about these things, you hear about them, and you feel horrible. When it hits close to home, it’s at a whole other level. We have been dealing this from day one. I have been dealing with this. The chief has been dealing with this. We are trying to be there for these men and women —doing everything we can for them. I have always been proud of this department, and I feel our officers are second to none. They serve this community to the best of their ability. They serve with integrity, and they’re from this community. Most police departments don’t have officers who are part of the community. Ours reside here. They have children who play together on ballfields, act together at the Little Theater, play football, whatever it may be. Our chief has been a wrestling coach for years, and we have others who coach baseball and football so that we can continue to build those community-police relationships. You can never stop building that. There’s not a level that I’ll ever truly be satisfied with, because I don’t think you can ever reach the level of what we need ... not just here but in the world around us. To have these men and women come back to work to deal with these most recent senseless acts of violence and to see the families of these victims suffering their loss ... if there’s anyone who thinks for one second that when any of this violence takes place doesn’t destroy all of us – myself, council, anyone involved – to the point where it’s gut-wrenching every single time it happens, they would be highly mistaken. I released something today that sums it up. I want you to understand where we are coming from. All too often, it’s easy to blame the police, your council, or your mayor. It’s much larger than a policing issue. This impacts every single person in our community, and we need to work together to search for a solution to violence. The hostility and the bloodshed in our world today is more than a policing issue. It is without question more than a policing issue. It is without question a community issue, and that community is made up of every single one of us in this room, in this community. Changing the circumstances that lead to these shootings and curbing what I believe is an addiction to crime and violence will only happen if we work together. That means coming together in our neighborhoods, our households, our churches, our community organization, and all of the places where we become united as a community. Let’s not be part of the problem. If you’re going to sit back and criticize what you think is not getting done, then have a solution of what could be done. It’s so easy to sit back and judge, but how many people want to be part of it? I commend the NAACP, who spearheaded meetings, because they realize this is a community issue. We live in a world where the police can only do so much. Here in McKeesport, this administration and this council have invested in resources like ShotSpotter. I believe we are one of the only local municipalities outside of Pittsburgh that has this ... and it has been instrumental in getting our police to the scene more quickly and pinpoints within feet of where the shots take place. The LPR cameras throughout the city, we have a virtually gated community. You’re not getting a car in and out of McKeesport without us knowing by reading your license plate. Again, I believe we have more than anyone outside the City of Pittsburgh. We don’t have the money that other places have, but we are making these investments because nothing is more important than safety of our residents, people who work in our town, and everyone else. This problem is not going to go away. To be honest with you, we will never see violence stop in the world around us, but I do believe that we must come together as a community, as a police department, as all the groups and churches, and work together to get into the homes of the youth. If you’re going to curb this addiction to crime and violence, you have to do it at its source, and that’s the youth, in my opinion. They are the ones coming up. Many don’t have the structure at home. Many don’t fear anything because there are no consequences are home. I’ve said before that there aren’t many consequences in Allegheny County for our youth. I do believe in rehabilitation, but with some crimes, there needs to be a consequence like incarceration to get that person to the help that they need. In my opinion, the juvenile system is flawed ... even the adult (system), to be honest with you. I see our police make an arrest at 8 p.m. It might be a gun arrest of a person with a rap sheet who has been in trouble before, and by 9 a.m. the next day, they’re back at our jail getting their belongings because they were released with no cash bail. In a specific situation, this happened on a Sunday, and, by Wednesday, we believe this person was shooting someone. I’m not passing the blame. This administration and this council will focus on what’s happening here in McKeesport, because it is important to us. I just want to make sure that everyone knows that this is not something we take lightly. I haven’t slept in three weeks. I may have nodded off, but I haven’t slept. I’m not complaining. I know what I signed up for, but my mind is going and going. We can’t leave any stone unturned. We will continue our relationships with all the different agencies ... the FBI, the ATF, the state Attorney General, the District Attorney, the County Police, the Sheriff’s Office ... Make no mistake. We will continue to work to keep this City safe. We have a slogan in the City of McKeesport. We talk about ‘Working Together for a Better McKeesport.” It’s not just a slogan. It’s an invitation. To any of you out there, I don’t care who you are, you are invited to take part ... to join this administration, this council, our police department, the NAACP, all the organizations like First Step. Join every9one to be part of the solution as we work together to curb this addiction to crime and violence. I’m not playing politics. I don’t care who you are. If you want to be part of the solution, you will be welcomed you with open arms. To Council, stay strong. Keep your head up. I get that told to me a lot, and I will tell you it’s a battle. We realize what we are doing here. I’m blessed to have a council who loves this City so much and cares so much. We go though these things together. We will get through it, and we are going to be successful. I still believe in this community. We have such a sense of pride in this community. No one has a magic wand, and our problems are not going to go away overnight. If we truly pull together, and truly stick together, and follow through with what we are trying to do ... We are trying to connect. The biggest challenge right now is the violence, not just in McKeesport ... but I can only speak on McKeesport. The violence is not organized. It’s unpredictable senseless acts of violence, just like today. We had a shooting on Versailles (Avenue), and not even a quarter of a mile down the road, we had another shooting in which three people were shot. Ninety-five percent of people, including myself, would have thought it was related. It was not. Years ago, when you had a shooting (in one area), police would be able to anticipate a shooting on another end of town ... It’s not like that anymore. I think it’s good one hand where you don’t have certain groups running around destroying our neighborhoods like they were trying to do back then, but it’s also horrible on the other hand. Now, you have so many people for so many different reasons who will turn to a gun and take someone’s life. That organized crime was always easier to solve. I know we have citizens in the audience who share the same concerns we have. Contact me. I will come meet with you wherever, your front porch, to talk. We will continue to work hard. To the men and women in blue, we have had an unbelievable amount of support. Let’s continue that support. Believe me when I tell you, we have an incredible police department, and they are held accountable as well. When they mess up, there’s consequences. Right now, they are going through a situation that has changed each and every one of their lives forever. It’s changed mine, and I’m not them. I’m not on the streets with them. I don’t pretend to be them or even know what they’re going through, but I can tell you it’s the worst experience of my life. Please, take part. Get involved. I know we are in a public forum, but I will tell you I pray, and I pray often. Continue prayers for our officers. Continue prayers for the families who have lost loved ones in these senseless acts of violence. Please continue praying for our City, because I can assure you, we need it. That concludes much of my report, but I do have a board appointment today. With the passing of Walter Chuchla of our Ambulance Authority, where he served for numerous years, his wife Georgeann Chuchla has asked to fulfill his term on that board. I need a motion. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Ms. Nesbit “to approve the appointment of Georgeann Chuchla to the McKeesport Ambulance Authority Board.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-5 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) CITIZENS IN THE AUDIENCE President Dellapenna called for Citizens in the Audience and said, “When you hear your name called please come up to the podium, state your name and address, then proceed on with your concerns.” Keenon Mikell, 2508 Riverview Street, spoke on addressing the senseless acts of violence and how these circumstances relate to a sense of hopelessness. He suggested working through trauma with those affected and the community as a whole. NEW BUSINESS: Solicitor J. Jason Elash explained that Council met in executive session to discuss personnel matters and a pilot agreement involving pending litigation. Per these discussions, Mr. Elash asked for a motion. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to adopt the pilot agreement with McKeesport Presbyterian Senior Housing.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-6 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL # 13 - ORDINANCE – GRANTING UNTO DUQUESNE LIGHT COMPANY TWO RIGHTS OF WAY ALONG SYCAMORE DRIVE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ELECTRICAL POWER FACILITIES IN AND AROUND SAID ROADWAY. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Ms. Lape “to approve Bill #13.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-7 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL # 14 - ORDINANCE – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, RELATIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE MUNICIPAL FIREFIGHTER’S PENSION, ANNUITY, INSURANCE AND BENEFIT FUND OR FUNDS, TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM (DROP) TO CONFORM WITH THE CURRENT COLLECTIVE BARGANING AGREEMENT. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #14.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-8 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL # 15 - ORDINANCE – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, RELATIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE MUNICIPAL POLICE PENSION, ANNUITY, INSURANCE AND BENEFIT FUND OR FUNDS, TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM (DROP) TO CONFORM WITH THE CURRENT COLLECTIVE BARGANING AGREEMENT. MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #15.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-9 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL # 16 - RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO EXECUTE AND ACCEPT THE ATTACHED GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY IN RELATION TO THE ACTIVE ALLEGHENY GRANT AWARDED TO THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT – INCREASING THE AMOUNT FROM EIGHTY-ONE THOUSAND ($81,000.00) DOLLARS (FY-2020) TO TWO HUNDRED FORTY-ONE THOUSAND ($241,000) DOLLARS (EXTENDED INTO FY-2024). MOTION: Ms. Lape moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #16.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-10 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL # 17 - RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO EXTEND THE CITY’S AGREEMENT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & DESIGN, LLC, IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND ($160,000.00) DOLLARS FOR A TWELVE (12) MONTH PLANNING PHASE FOR PROJECTS RELATED TO PUBLIC ACCESS TO MCKEESPORT WALKING AND BICYCLE TRAILS. MOTION: Ms. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #17.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-11 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL # 18 - RESOLUTION - APPROVING A SUBDIVISION REQUEST FROM JOHN SCOTT DBA LIL DEMON ENTERPRISES, LLC TO SUBDIVIDE ONE (1) PARCEL AT 2511 GRANDVIEW AVENUE (LOT & BLOCK 464-D-285) INTO TWO (2) PARCELS. THE PROPERTY EXISTS IN A R-3 ZONING DISTRICT. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Ms. Lape “to approve Bill #18.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC #12 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL # 19 - RESOLUTION - PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER TO THE MCKEESPORT ZONING HEARING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Ms. Nesbit “to approve Bill #19.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC #13 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL # 20 - RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH KUCICH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $700,000 FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE LYSLE BOULEVARD GARAGE UTILIZING A PORTION OF A PENNDOT MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION FUND GRANT AWARDED TO THE CITY OF McKEESPORT.” MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #20.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-14 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) ADJOURNMENT: President Dellapenna said that concludes the Council meeting for Wednesday, February 1st. Thank you all for attending. The meeting then adjourned at 7:42 PM. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council