City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT PUBLIC HEARING WEDNESDAY 6:15 PM December 6, 2023 2024 BUDGET HEARING The public hearing portion of the Council Meeting was called to order on the above-stated date by President Richard J. Dellapenna. Mayor Cherepko stated that he plans to deliver his 2024 Budget Message in full during the Mayor’s Report portion of the Council Meeting. President Dellapenna asked three times if anyone is present to speak for or against the 2024 budget during this public hearing. No one came forward. President Dellapenna adjourned the hearing at 6:20 p.m. CITY OF MCKEESPORT WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY 6:30 PM December 6, 2023 WORK SESSION The Work Session portion of the Council Meeting was called to order on the above-stated date by President Richard J. Dellapenna. City Clerk Annette James read the following proposed Bills: BILL #62 – INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, SETTING FORTH THE PAYDAYS FOR THE YEAR 2024. President Dellapenna asked if Council had any further questions. They did not. BILL #63 – INTRODUCED BY MS. LAPE – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICERS TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BOROUGH OF DRAVOSBURG TO EXTEND THE CURRENT POLICE SERVICE AGREEMENT AND SETTING FORTH THE TERMS THEREOF. Mayor Cherepko explained this is the continuation of the McKeesport Police Department providing public safety services to the Borough of Dravosburg. President Dellapenna asked if Council has any questions. They did not. BILL #64 – INTRODUCED BY MS. NESBIT – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, APPOINTING MARK C. TURNLEY AS AUDITOR OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024, AND AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR SAID SERVICES. Mayor Cherepko explained that Mr. Turnley is an independent auditor who has prepared McKeesport’s annual audit for the last several years. Mr. Turnley is holding his rate at the same price level, and Mayor Cherepko is asking Council to continue to utilize these services. President Dellapenna asked if Council has any questions. They did not. BILL #65 – INTRODUCED BY MS. LAPE – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, - AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICERS TO ENTER INTO A PEST CONTROL CONTRACT WITH PEST B GONE FOR A PERIOD OF ONE (1) YEAR. Mayor Cherepko explained this is a one-year extension of the City’s existing pest management contract. This company also holds the City’s wildlife management contract. President Dellapenna asked if Council has any questions. They did not. BILL #66 – INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ESTABLISHING REGULAR MEETINGS OF CITY COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 2024 AND JANUARY 2025. Mayor Cherepko explained the meetings will follow the traditional first Wednesday of the month schedule, except January 2025, which will take place on Thursday, January 2, as the first Wednesday falls on the New Year holiday. President Dellapenna asked if Council has any questions. They did not. BILL #67 – INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES – ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, FIXING THE NUMBER AND COMPENSATION OF CITY OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT; LEVYING TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024. Mayor Cherepko said Council has had an opportunity to review the budget, and he will explain it in further detail during the Mayor’s Report. President Dellapenna asked if Council has any questions. They did not. BILL #68 – INTRODUCED BY MS. LAPE – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, REQUESTING A STATEWIDE LOCAL SHARE ASSESSMENT GRANT FROM THE COMMONWEALTH FINANCING AUTHORITY. Mayor Cherepko explained the LSA application will focus on the Lysle Boulevard Parking Garage, for which the pricing has changed drastically due to inflation and setbacks, especially following the pandemic. Barring any further setbacks, Cherepko said he anticipates the garage opening in 2024. President Dellapenna asked if Council has any questions. They did not. BILL #69 – INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICERS TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH COMCAST BUSINESS FOR THE PHONE SYSTEM AND SERVICE OF THE SAME. Mayor Cherepko said the City is looking to upgrade its phone system. By entering an agreement with Comcast, the City’s cost of phone service will decrease, and new equipment will be installed. President Dellapenna asked if Council has any questions. They did not. BILL #70 – INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES – ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICERS TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AND EMPLOYEES OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY, TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 205 OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AFFILIATED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, CHAUFFERS, WAREHOUSEMEN AND HELPERS OF AMERICA, REPRESENTING THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, SETTING FORTH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT INCLUDING COMPENSATION, HOURS, WORKING CONDITIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR (4) YEARS, COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2024 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2027. Mayor Cherepko explained this is the contract for the City’s Public Works Department. The contract is status quo, with annual increases, which are welcomed after a one-year wage freeze ending the current contract. Cherepko said he feels a fair contract was negotiated. President Dellapenna asked if Council has any questions. They did not. BILL #71 – INTRODUCED BY MR. BARRY – ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICERS TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AND EMPLOYEES OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY, TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 205 OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AFFILIATED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, CHAUFFERS, WAREHOUSEMEN AND HELPERS OF AMERICA, REPRESENTING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, SETTING FORTH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT INCLUDING COMPENSATION, HOURS, WORKING CONDITIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR (4) YEARS, COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2024 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2027. Mayor Cherepko explained this is the contract for the McKeesport Police Department. The mayor said the City’s police department is second to none, and he acknowledged the stress and grief our department and community have experienced in 2023. He focused on the City’s commitment to public safety, which will help attract new officers and retain current officers. “This contract, in my mind, will not come close to paying them what they deserve, but we’ve found a (middle) ground at a much more livable wage. It is a big increase, but it’s not what it should be. I wish this City could afford more. You’ll hear me talk a little bit later, because with this, there will be a tax increase. Your tax increase is going solely to the investment of public safety through our police department and our fire department as well.” President Dellapenna asked if Council has any questions. They did not. BILL #72 – INTRODUCED BY MS. LAPE – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, DESIGNATING CITY ADMINISTRATOR THOMAS MAGLICCO AS THE PROPER CITY OFFICIAL TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO ENTER INTO THE ATTACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RELATING TO THE VERSAILLES AVENUE VIADUCT RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZING HIM TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT. Mayor Cherepko explained this is an agreement related to preliminary engineering for reconstruction of the Versailles Avenue Viaduct. He said once these funds are implemented, the City is better poised to receive funds for continuation of the project and construction. Cherepko said engineers currently are looking into the possibility of designated a safe area to open a walkway in the interim. “I don’t want anyone to think for one second that we don’t realize the inconvenience and the hardship it is for pedestrian traffic. A five-minute detour for vehicular traffic is nothing compared to half an hour or 45 minutes for a pedestrian. Hopefully, we will be able to get an opinion that allows us to open this up to pedestrian traffic until we can move forward to demolish the bridge.” President Dellapenna asked if Council has any questions. They did not. BILL #73 – INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES – ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF McKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICERS TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AND EMPLOYEES OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY, TEAMSTER LOCAL UNION NO. 205 OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AFFILIATED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, CHAUFFERS, WAREHOUSEMEN, AND HELPERS OF AMERICA, REPRESENTING THE CROSSING GUARDS OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, SETTING FORTH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT INCLUDING COMPENSATION, HOURS, WORKING CONDITIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2024 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2027. Mayor Cherepko explained this is the contract for the City’s crossing guards, who work at school crossings and high-traffic bus stops. There are six full-time crossing guards. The McKeesport Area School District and Propel Schools share the appropriate costs President Dellapenna asked if Council has any questions. They did not. COUNCIL REPORTS None. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Cherepko asked that Council meet for Executive Session regarding personnel matters. ADJOURNMENT President Dellapenna said the Work Session portion of the meeting is adjourned at 6:58 p.m. and moved into Executive Session for personnel matters. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk & Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council