City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM February 7, 2024 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 Council President Richard J. Dellapenna and a Moment of Silence recognizing James A. Vertullo and Officer Sean L. Sluganski. Council President Dellapenna introduced Council Vice President LuEthel Nesbit to read a prayer submitted by the Rev. Richard Truss of Zion Baptist Church. “God of Justice and Mercy, thank you for the gift of Life and the opportunity to serve the people of our city. Thank you for this meeting, and thank you for every likeminded individual who is here to fulfill tasks for your Kingdom. We ask that you help us act with character and conviction. Help us to listen with understanding and goodwill. Help us to speak with charity and restraint. Give us spirit of service. Remind us that we are stewards of your authority. Guide us to be the leaders of your people’s needs. Help us to see the humanity and dignity of those who disagree with us, and to treat all persons, no matter how weak or poor, with the reverence your creation deserves. And finally, Father, renew us with the strength of your presence and the joy of helping to build a community worthy of the human person. We ask this in the name of your Son and our Savior. Confident in your goodness and love. Amen.” The following members of Council were present: RC-1 Present: Ms. Webb Mr. Evans Ms. Lape Mr. Soles Vice President Nesbit Mr. Barry President Dellapenna Absent: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President Dellapenna asked for a Motion to Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of January 3, 2024. MOTION: Ms. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mr. Barry, “to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 6, 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 January 2024. President Dellapenna said thank you. MAYORS REPORT: Mayor Cherepko thanked President Dellapenna and stated that his report would be brief, due to discussions having taken place at the Work Session. Mayor Cherepko announced that the NAACP McKeesport Unit will host its annual Black History Month Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, February 24, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the McKeesport Presbyterian Church, located at the intersection of Union and Versailles avenues. In recent years, this event has taken place at the Main Pavilion, which is currently under construction. “We are very excited about what the pavilion will look like when it’s done. Right now, we don’t have anything booked until May, but if work is completed earlier, we will be able to open that up. It’s going to be very nice and modern. I do appreciate Tom (Maglicco) and Jen (Vertullo) for their work and presentation to the RAD Board to secure the $500,000 grant for this project.” Mayor Cherepko requested a motion to appoint Councilwoman Amber Webb to the Carnegie Library of McKeesport’s Board of Directors as Council Representative. “There is an opening on the library board for a council representative, and we just happen to have Ms. Amber Webb, who is already so involved with the library ...” MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Ms. Nesbit, “to appoint Councilwoman Amber Webb to the Carnegie Library of McKeesport Board.” RC-3 YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) CITIZENS IN THE AUDIENCE: President Dellapenna called for Citizens in the Audience and stated that no one signed up to speak. NEW BUSINESS: BILL #4 – INTRODUCED BY MS. LAPE – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA -- APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICERS TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF BUILDING INSPECTION UNDERWRITERS TO PERFORM BUILDING INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED ONE (1) YEAR. MOTION: Ms. Nesbit moved, seconded by Mr. Soles “to approve Bill #4.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-4 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #5 – INTRODUCED BY MR. EVANS – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA - APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE REQUEST FROM NICHOLAS KASYN dba KASYN CYCLE WORX, FOR 101 FIFTH AVENUE, MCKEESPORT, PA 15132 (LOT & BLOCK 308-M-295). THE PROPERTY EXISTS IN A C-3 ZONING DISTRICT. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Ms. Lape “to approve Bill #5.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments. Mayor Cherepko stated that this is recommended by the Planning Commission for Council’s approval. RC-5 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #6 – INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES – ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA - AMENDING AND RESTATING 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. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #6.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments. There were none. RC-6- YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #7 – INTRODUCED BY ALL OF COUNCIL – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA – RENAMING THE DEK HOCKEY RINK IN RENZIEHAUSEN PARK THE OFFICER SEAN “SLUG” SLUGANSKI MEMORIAL DEK HOCKEY RINK. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Ms. Lape “to approve Bill #7.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments. There were none. RC-7 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) ADJOURNMENT: President Dellapenna closed the Council meeting for Wednesday, February 7, 2024, and thanked the audience for attending. The meeting then adjourned at 7:11 PM. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council