City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM September 6, 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 Katherine Carr. President Dellapenna introduced Marie Domingo to offer a prayer on behalf of the McKeesport Area Ministerium and McKeesport Area Shared Ministry’s Christy Park Campus. “We pray for our City and this Council meeting tonight. Give the Council members wisdom and guidance as they deliberate on the items before them. May every decision be righteous in your sight – for our benefit and your glory. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.” The following members of Council were present: RC-1 Present: Ms. Lape Mr. Barry President Dellapenna Mr. Evans Mr. Soles Mr. Brown Vice President Nesbit Absent: NONE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President Dellapenna asked for a Motion to Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of July 5, 2023. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Evans, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 5, 2023.” RC-2 YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Annette James reported that we received both the Police and Fire reports for the months of July and August 2023. President Dellapenna said thank you. MAYORS REPORT: Mayor Cherepko thanked President Dellapenna and noted that he offered a report during Council’s work session. “I did, however, want to take this opportunity ... As many of you have read, possibly a month or so ago ... I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Chief Adam Alfer over the last several years, including when he was the Assistant Chief. With this being his last meeting, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Chief for everything you’ve done for me, for this City, in your role as Chief and for the service you provided to this City for 25-plus years. You’ve always done so with the utmost respect and dignity. You’ve guided this police department through very trying times. Just a little bit earlier, we were talking about how tough policing is today. You did so, when it was most difficult to do so – let alone with what we experienced last February. Your character and your leadership are second to none, especially with that particular situation. I don’t know where this police department would be without you. I wish you nothing but the best, and I am extremely happy for you to be able to step into another role over at South Allegheny. They’re getting the best of the best, and they know that. You will be a wonderful asset to them, and I know you will do everything to serve them as well as you did here. I want to thank you for your service – not just as mayor but personally. I wish you nothing but the best of luck.” SOLICITOR ELASH ANNOUNCED COUNCIL PARTICIPATED IN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING PERSONNEL MATTERS PRIOR TO THE VOTING MEETING. NEW BUSINESS: BILL #45 – INTRODUCED BY MR. EVANS – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA - DESIGNATING OCTOBER 1 THROUGH OCTOBER 10, 2023 AS RADICAL DAYS IN THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #45.” Mayor Cherepko explained this includes free/discounted pavilion rentals in Renziehausen Park during the timeframe. President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-3 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #46 – INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA - PROVIDING FOR THE APPLICATION TO THE PENNSYLVANIA SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION FOR APPROVAL TO ERECT FLASHING SCHOOL ZONE SIGN(S) ON CORNELL STREET, IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO TWIN RIVERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. MOTION: Ms. Nesbit moved, seconded by Ms. Lape “to approve Bill #46.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments. There were none. RC-4 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #47 – INTRODUCED BY MS. LAPE – ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA - ESTABLISHING A NEW COMPREHENSIVE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SCHEME TO EFFECTIVELY CONTROL THE EFFECTS OF STORMWATER RUNOFF WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY AND ITS WATERSHED. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #47.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments. There were none. RC-5 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #48 - INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES – ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA - AMENDING ORDINANCE #22-011, PROVIDING FOR SALARIES AND EXPENDITURES IN 2023. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Ms. Lape “to approve Bill #48.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-6 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #49 – INTRODUCED BY MS. LAPE – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA – AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH HERAREGISTRY.COM, TO PROVIDE PROPERTY REGISTRATION SERVICES. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #49.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-7 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #50 – INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY – 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 KUCICH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TWO MILLION TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY ($2,273,750.00) DOLLARS 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: Ms. Lape moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #50.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments. Mr. Soles asked if this includes trail work, and Mayor Cherepko explained that is a separate bid. Also, due to what PennDOT considers to be a change of scope, the trail work will be bid at a later date, because it will be a ground-level trail rather than an elevated trail system. RC-8 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #51 – INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY – 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 THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, RELATING TO THE VERSAILLES AVENUE VIADUCT PROJECT. MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Ms. Lape “to approve Bill #51.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-9 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #52 – INTRODUCED BY MR. EVANS – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA – AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO REQUEST A MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION FUND GRANT FROM THE COMMONWEALTH FINANCING AUTHORITY. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Brown “to approve Bill #52.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-10 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #53 – INTRODUCED MS. LAPE – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA – AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR A PA-DCED KEYSTONE COMMUNITIES GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND ($25,000.00) DOLLARS FOR PARK EQUIPMENT. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Mr. Brown “to approve Bill #53.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-11 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) ADJOURNMENT: President Dellapenna said that concludes the Council meeting for Wednesday, September 6, 2023. He congratulated Chief Alfer on his career with the City. The meeting then adjourned at 7:14 PM. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council