City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM NOVEMBER 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 Richard J. Dellapenna and a Moment of Silence in memory of Carl Truss. President Dellapenna introduced Council Vice President LuEthel Nesbit to offer a prayer on behalf of the McKeesport Area Ministerium. “Shall we pray? Heavenly Father, we come to you today asking for your guidance and wisdom as we begin this meeting of City Council. Help us to engage in meaningful discussion. Allow us to grow closer and nurture the bonds of community. Fill us with grace, Lord God, as we make decisions that might affect the residents of this great City. Guide our hearts and our minds in the spirit of fairness, right thought, and speech. And let us always be aware that everything we do and accomplish in this place is for the greater glory of your name and for the service of humanity. Amen.” The following members of Council were present: RC-1 Present: Mr. Barry Ms. Lape Mr. Brown Vice President Nesbit Mr. Evans President Dellapenna Mr. Soles Absent: NONE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President Dellapenna asked for a Motion to Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of October 4, 2023. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Evans, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 4, 2023.” RC-2 YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Annette James reported that we received both the Police and Fire reports for the month of October 2023. President Dellapenna said thank you. MAYORS REPORT: Mayor Cherepko thanked President Dellapenna and acknowledged that the October meeting included commendations for firefighters, police, EMS, and others who responded to a devastating fire at the McKeesport Housing Authority’s McKeesport Towers senior high-rise building. “Those are situations where, regardless of the training you have, until you are in that situation firsthand, you don’t necessarily know what you’re dealing with. I could not be more proud of our medics, our fire department, our police department, and the Housing Authority employees as well. To get all of these people out of the building, to do so safely with no fatalities in a building that houses a lot of seniors and a lot of people who are experiencing health problems to begin with ... our firemen got to the floor, contained the fire to one room, and knocked it down very quickly. Everyone was working together to remove residents safely from the building, which included carrying some residents down seven flights of stairs. Their work definitely doesn’t go unnoticed. It certainly doesn’t go unappreciated by me, not only as mayor, but as a resident of the City of McKeesport. Last month, our medics were not able to be here. We have three of them here today. COMMENDATION WHEREAS, On the date of September 8, 2023, McKeesport’s public safety departments were dispatched to 601 Sixth Street for a fire at the McKeesport Housing Authority’s McKeesport Towers high-rise apartment complex; and WHEREAS, Upon arrival, first-responders observed fire and heavy smoke venting from a seventh-story window, and the call escalated to a second alarm with some firefighters making their way to the seventh floor with high rise packs and others making water connections; and WHEREAS, Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and fire while extinguishing the blaze and removing residents from the building, often carrying individuals down several flights of stairs to safety; and WHEREAS, A combined crew of firefighters, police, emergency medical personnel, housing authority staff, and animal control officers worked together to evacuate residents and pets; and WHEREAS, As the result of quick action and hard work by these public safety professionals, everyone was removed safely and no residents suffered prolonged injuries relating to the blaze. NOW, THEREFORE, as Mayor of the City of McKeesport, I do hereby deem it an honor and privilege to recognize (RECIPIENT) for (THEIR) heroic actions and life-saving skills displayed on every day of service, and especially on September 8, 2023. IN WITNESS HEREOF, I extend my sincerest congratulations and hereunto set my hand and cause the Seal of the City to be affixed this Fourth Day of October in the Year of our Lord 2023. SIGNED AND SEALED Michael E. Cherepko, Mayor RECIPIENTS: McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service Shawnee Smith Bridget Murray Dann Bechdel Dan Barnhart Damian Trusty-Ketchum “The only other think I have this evening, speaking of our ambulance authority, I’m going to ask for Council’s approval of previous members with expired terms. We have Wendy Riazzi, who will expire 12-31-27; Georgeann Chuchla, 12-31-26; Chairman Ron Oleska, 12-31-25. If I could have a motion ...” MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to reappoint Wendy Riazzi, Georgeann Chuchla, and Ron Oleska to the McKeesport Ambulance Authority following the presented schedule of terms.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments. There were none. RC-3 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) CITIZENS IN THE AUDIENCE: President Dellapenna called for Citizens in the Audience and said that when you hear your name called please come up to the podium, state your name and address, then proceed on with your concerns. Louis Wilson, 707 Union Avenue, spoke about neighborhood issues, including blight, code violations, and health violations. NEW BUSINESS: BILL #59 – INTRODUCED BY MS. LAPE – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA - APPROVING A REVERSE SUBDIVISION REQUEST FROM TAMRA Y. MITCHELL, 1508 CENTENNIAL STREET, TO COMBINE LOT & BLOCKS 382-G-282 & 382-G-284. THE PROPERTY EXISTS IN A C-3 ZONING DISTRICT. MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #59.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-4 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #60 – INTRODUCED BY MR. BROWN – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA - AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH MILLER INVESTIGATION AGENCY, LLC, TO PROVIDE SECURITY SERVICES. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #60.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments. There were none. RC-5 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #61 – INTRODUCED BY MS. NESBIT - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA - AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO ENTER INTO THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS WITH MCKESSON CORPORATION, CARDINAL HEALTH, INC., AMERISOURCEBERGEN CORPORATION, JOHNSON & JOHNSON, JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., ORTHO-MCNEIL- JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., AND JANSSEN PHARMACEUITCA, INC., AND AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA OPIOID MISUSE AND ADDICTION ABATEMENT TRUST. MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Ms. Lape “to approve Bill #61.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments. There were none. RC-6 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) ADJOURNMENT: President Dellapenna closed the Council meeting for Wednesday, November 1, 2023, and thanked the audience for attending. The meeting then adjourned at 7:23 PM. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council