Category: News || By Jason Togyer

McKeesport City Council will consider an ordinance that would ban any elected official, municipal employee or their relatives from serving on a variety of volunteer, unpaid boards, commissions and authorities.

The legislation was introduced at last night's work session by Council President Darryl Segina, who said he wants to avoid repeating a situation like one that happened last year. That's when the board of directors of McKeesport's sewerage authority voted to make an early repayment of $24 million in debt owned to the city.

The authority's board included former Mayor Regis McLaughlin, Councilman Dale McCall and city Public Works Director Nick Shermenti.

McCall voted as an authority board member to make the early repayment, and then voted as a councilman to accept the repayment, Segina said. "How is that not a conflict of interest?" he said.

But the ordinance, which would affect the sewerage authority along with the zoning board, the planning commission, the McKeesport Housing Authority and the city's redevelopment authority, faces opposition from some of Segina's council colleagues. They said it's too broad in its impact, while it's too specific in what kinds of appointments are prohibited.

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The ordinance, if enacted, would allow the city to fire any employee who had a relative, "direct or indirect," employed by the city while serving as a member of seven boards, authorities or commissions.

"I think there are a lot of holes in this bill," Councilman Dan Carr said. "How can we be expected to vote on this (Wednesday)? I think we need more time to discuss it."

"Why isn't the school board included?" Councilman Richard Dellapenna Jr. asked. "We have two city employees sitting on the school board. I'm not saying I want them to be removed, but what about the school board?"

Segina said he included only those boards or commissions that have a direct impact on the city's finances or operations. Groups such as the recreation commission, the board of the Carnegie Library of McKeesport and the McKeesport Trail Commission would be exempt.

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Several city officials questioned how the ordinance would be enforced because it doesn't mention such boards as the Downtown McKeesport Business Authority or the McKeesport Parking Authority.

It also doesn't specify how to decide which new authorities, boards or commissions will be affected in the future.

City Solicitor J. Jason Elash said he didn't draft the ordinance, though Segina did present it to him for review. Elash said the termination provision would likely not stand up in court. "Theoretically, if you wanted to fire someone, all you would have to do is appoint their relative to a committee," he said.

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Mayor Michael Cherepko questioned how Segina chose the groups he exempted --- such as the Renzie Park Senior Center board, on which Segina serves.

The list of groups being targeted is biased, Cherepko said. "It's so counter-productive that it's a disservice to the city," he said. "We need people who are so passionate about the city that they want to get involved, and nine times out of 10, the reason they're so passionate is because they have some connection to the city."

If council objects to any appointments, Cherepko added, it should vote down those appointments. "Why did you vote for these appointments if they were conflicts of interest?" he asked Segina.

"That was wrong, too," Segina said. "You wanted a transparent and accountable administration. I think this helps."

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Council meets at 7 tonight on the second floor of the old Municipal Building, 201 Lysle Blvd. at Market Street.