City Council

CITY OF MCKEESPORT REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM NOVEMBER 6, 2024 The regular meeting of Council was called to order on the above-stated date at the above-stated time by Council President Richard J. Dellapenna after the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence. President Dellapenna invited the Rev. Kevin Labby of First Evangelical Free Church to offer the opening prayer. “Thank you for the privilege of offering an invocation before tonight’s meeting. If you’d like to do so, please join me in prayer. Gracious and loving God, we come before you tonight with grateful hearts. Thank you for our city and all who call it home. Thank you for the people, the families, the first-responders, the schools, the businesses, the houses of worship, community organizations, programs, and initiatives that bring life and vibrancy to all of our neighborhoods. Tonight, we are especially grateful for these civic leaders and those working with them for the common good of our community and all of its residents. Please grant them wisdom, peace, strength, resilience, and every other necessary blessing for their work. Lord, we acknowledge the challenges we face as a city and as a culture, for we live in a world that often reflects brokenness and divisions. Please help us to trust that you have a provision for every problem that we face. Help us to persevere and work together – loving one another and trusting that our complementary efforts will position and prosper the great City of McKeesport for years to come. With deep appreciation for everyone gathered here tonight, and the utmost respect and affection for all people, I offer this prayer in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.” The following members of Council were present: RC-1 Present: President Dellapenna Mr. Barry Mr. Evans Mr. Soles Ms. Lape Vice President Nesbit Ms. Webb APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President Dellapenna asked for a Motion to Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of October 2, 2024. MOTION: MR. EVANS MOVED, SECONDED BY MS. NESBIT, “TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 2, 2024.” RC-2 YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) COMMUNICATIONS: Annette James reported that we received both the Fire and Police reports for the month of October 2024. President Dellapenna said thank you. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Cherepko stated that he gave the majority of his report during the Work Session. He announced that Mr. Larry Bridges of Another Shoulder, who served as leader of the Gold Team in the Community Cleanup Contest is present for the meeting. He was not present during the Work Session when Ms. Webb gave her report. (Applause for Mr. Bridges) Mayor Cherepko invited the Rev. Dr. Moni McIntyre of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church to the podium for a presentation. Rev. McIntyre reflected on February 6, 2023, when McKeesport Police Officer Sean Sluganski was killed in the line of duty. She stated that St. Stephens parishioners have been honored to donate gift certificates to Officer Sluganski’s family and five officers who were “most closely impacted” by this tragedy. She presented Chief Mark Steele with a certificate for his leadership role in the face of tragedy. Mayor Cherepko stated that Rev. McIntyre’s visit was a surprise, but it provides a transition into the next order of business. “If you’ve heard me say it once, you’ve heard me say it a thousand times. We truly have a police department in this city that I certainly do not take for granted, and I know each and every one of you don’t. They put their lives on the line and go to work to protect and serve, to make McKeesport a better place to live and work ... and they hope to go home ending each tour safely. All too often people take for granted the feelings of their spouses and their families, who dread the feeling and hope they never get that call. I can’t say enough how proud I am of this police department. We know we’re not perfect. We work each and every day to continue to grow as officers and to continue to grow our community policing. That being said, Chief (Mark) Steele who took over as our police chief a little over a year ago has done an incredible job, and he’s done so without an Assistant Chief ... We did go through Civil Service testing, and we did have unbelievably qualified candidates, which was no surprise to me. Obviously with that comes a very difficult decision, which I have to bring to the Personnel Committee. We were discussing one individual, and I can assure you this young man does an absolute incredible job here in this department, works well with each and every officer, and currently serves as a lieutenant of our patrol. He goes above and beyond what’s asked. Many of our youngest officers were recruited by this individual, who took his time to get to know them and bring them to this department. We are always learning. I learn each and every day, and this individual I’m talking about will do the same. When you climb into the Assistant Chief’s role, it changes. It’s an extremely stressful job, especially when you care. This lieutenant definitely cares, and he definitely loves this city. I couldn’t be more proud to be in a position to go to Personnel and Council with this person. He will continue to be an asset and continue to mentor and be an example to so many others as he serves this city with the utmost dignity and respect. It is my distinct pleasure to introduce our new Assistant Chief Josh Alfer.” (Applause ... Pause for Photographs) CITIZENS IN THE AUDIENCE: 1. Keenon Mikell, 2508 Riverview Street, spoke about the Community Cleanup Contest and thanked council and the administration for their support and participation. Crews noticed that blighted properties are continuing to become dumping grounds and asked about the punishment/fines associated with illegal dumping. He also said the public is interested in YouTube streaming of Council Meetings. He also spoke about community relations and responses with the McKeesport Police Department. 2. Tamra Mitchell, 1508 Centennial Street, spoke about the Versailles Avenue Bridge. 3. Regis Mellinger, 711 Franklin Street, spoke about infrastructure improvements, wanting to seek funding for improvements to McKeesport’s bridges. NEW BUSINESS: BILL #45 – INTRODUCED BY MR. SOLES – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA - APPROVING A REVERSE SUBDIVISION REQUEST FROM DUQUESNE LIGHT COMPANY, 200 CENTER STREET, TO COMBINE LOT & BLOCKS 307-D-060 & 307-D-090. THE PROPERTY EXISTS IN A I-U ZONING DISTRICT. MOTION: Mr. Evans moved, seconded by Ms. Lape “to approve Bill #45.” 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 AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO THE ATTACHED COOPERATION AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT WITH THE ALLEGHENY REGIONAL ASSET DISTRICT. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Ms. Lape “to approve Bill #46.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-4 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #47 – INTRODUCED BY MS. NESBIT – RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF MCKEESPORT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA - AUTHORIZING THE PROPER CITY OFFICIALS TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH SELECTED VENDORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SOUTH HILLS AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (SHACOG). MOTION: Mr. Barry moved, seconded by Mr. Evans “to approve Bill #47.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-5 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) BILL #48 – INTRODUCED BY MS. LAPE – 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 CLERICAL WORKERS 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 (3) YEARS, COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2025 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2027, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE TENATIVE AGREEMENT REACHED, AND UPON APPROVAL OF THE SOLICITOR. MOTION: Mr. Soles moved, seconded by Mr. Barry “to approve Bill #48.” President Dellapenna asked for questions or comments and there were none. RC-6 - YEAS: Seven (7) NAYS: None (0) ADJOURNMENT: President Dellapenna closed the Council meeting for Wednesday, November 6, 2024, and thanked the audience for attending. The meeting then adjourned at 7:35 PM. Respectfully submitted, Annette James City Clerk and Clerk of Council APPROVED: Richard Dellapenna President of Council