City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM July 5, 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 Richard J. Dellapenna and a Moment of Silence in memory of Shirley Hanna. The following members of Council were present: RC-1 Present: Ms. Lape Mr. Barry President Dellapenna Mr. Soles Absent: Vice President Nesbit Mr. Evans Mr. Brown APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President Dellapenna asked for a Motion to Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of June 7, 2023. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Ms. Lape, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 7, 2023.” RC-2 YEAS: Four (4) NAYS: None (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Annette James reported that we received both the Police and Fire reports for the month of June 2023. President Dellapenna said thank you. MAYORS REPORT: “My report during the Work Session will stand as my report for this evening, with the exception of two things. “One thing that I didn’t mentions during the Work Session is that we are having the Renzie Market on the first Thursday of each summer month behind the fire station in Renzie Park. This is from 5:30 to 8 tomorrow. “The other thing ... I can tell you, as Mayor, of the Police Department we have here, and of the Fire Department as well. When everyone else is running away from things, our first-responders are running towards it. There is no question that they are heroes. They put their lives on the line each and every day, even more so in today’s world than ever. We here in McKeesport have come a long way. At last month’s meeting we were able to hire a few individuals and even find some veterans, which is hard to do. This month, we have one veteran officer who is going to be joining us part-time and we have three young men, whose interviews I had the opportunity to sit in on. Chief Alfer is extremely excited. His officers who are going to be training these young officers are excited as well. Some of them have ties to the McKeesport area, which I think is always wonderful as well. One thing that separates our police department from many others is that our police department is part of this town. Our officers live in town. They become part of the community. It’s a natural community policing effort. Our chief has been coaching wrestling at the high school for 20-some years. Others coach football. Others are involved in other types of activities. Others have kids in who go to school with your kids. That’s something that is unique about McKeesport, and it’s one of the reasons you don’t have a lot of the issues here that you see around the world. Once again, our officers are risking it all, and they’re doing it while being under a magnifying lens, where everyone is trying to make them the next YouTube sensation. They’re waiting for them to make a mistake or do something. They pressure that they have on them in today’s world is ... in my opinion, at no time in our nation’s history has it been this challenging. “Without question, you four individuals will be an asset to our police department. One officer who works full-time with another department and will be joining us part-time is Richard Dell. Our full-time officers will be Dylan Vaniel, Caleb Summers, and Dylan Culbertson. “Also with us this evening, with the blessing of our Personnel Committee, our Juvenile Detective is being promoted to Sergeant. We have Sgt. Dan Goughnour. The juvenile department is a very challenging department in today’s world. “Also, we have Ben here from the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. He will be starting bird watches on Friday in Renzie Park.” Ben confirmed this events are on the first Friday morning of each month and will focus on all seasonal things happening in nature. MOTION TO REMOVE BILL 41 FROM THE AGENDA: MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to remove Bill #41.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments. RC-3 - YEAS: Four (4) NAYS: None (0) NEW BUSINESS: BILL #39 – INTRODUCED BY MS. LAPE - BILL #39 - ORDINANCE - RELATIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS 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 BARGAINING AGREEMENT. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #39.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-4 - YEAS: Four (4) NAYS: None (0) BILL #40 – INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES – ORDINANCE - AMENDING ORDINANCE #18-017. MOTION: Ms. Lape moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #40.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments. RC-5 - YEAS: Four (4) NAYS: None (0) BILL #42 – INTRODUCED BY MS. LAPE – RESOLUTION - APPROVING A REVERSE SUBDIVISION REQUEST FROM GIANT EAGLE. INC., TO COMBINE LOT & BLOCKS 380-D-222, 380-D-211, 380-D-240, 380-D-215, 380-D-182, 380-D-184, 380-D- 212, 380-D-186, 380-D-213, 380-D-214, 380-D-185, 380-D- 210, AND 380-D-183. THE PROPERTY EXISTS IN A C-3 ZONING DISTRICT. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #42.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments, and Mayor Cherepko reported this will include the addition of a car wash to the Get-Go gas station. RC-6 - YEAS: Four (4) NAYS: None (0) BILL #43 INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES – RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH PITTSBURGH PROTECTION SERVICES, LLC, TO PROVIDE SECURITY SERVICES. MOTION: Ms. Lape moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #43.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-7 - YEAS: Four (4) NAYS: None (0) BILL #44 – INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY – ORDINANCE – AMENDING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION RELATING TO HIRING AND PROMOTIONS WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Ms. Lape “to approve Bill #44.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-8 - YEAS: Four (4) NAYS: None (0) ADJOURNMENT: President Dellapenna said that concludes the Council meeting for Wednesday, July 5, 2023. We will see you in September. Thank you. The meeting then adjourned at 7:16 PM. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council