McKeesport City Council, citizens reach agreement on public meetings

McKeesport City Council and a group of citizens advocating there reached an agreement Wednesday to make sure future public meetings are accessible.

Council’s monthly meeting was rescheduled last week after four community members sought an injunction alleging that McKeesport officials were violating the state Sunshine Act by denying the public access to participate.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John McVay had a hearing on the issue on March 3. At its conclusion, the parties agreed that they would try to reach an amicable resolution.

Following the Dec. 20 shooting of a McKeesport police officer, law enforcement searching for the suspect subjected several people to what they believed were unconstitutional searches and seizures.

The citizens group, Take Action Mon Valley, encouraged those people to attend McKeesport’s Jan. 6 council meeting.

? BREAKING VICTORY?
Thanks to all of YOU helping us to apply pressure McKeesport City Council has agreed to reopen its meetings to the public. We will keep everyone posted on when the council meeting is scheduled. Special thanks to the plaintiffs and the community‼️‼️ https://t.co/ZbtyDdImo6

— Take Action Mon Valley (@TAMVMonValley) March 10, 2021

However, when they arrived at council chambers that evening, the doors were locked, and a sign on the door said the meeting was “closed to ‘in-person’ public participation in light of covid-19,’” the complaint said.

Council then chose to cancel the Feb. 6 meeting. For the March 3 meeting, McKeesport officials said that any public comment had to be submitted in writing.

During last week’s hearing the day that meeting was scheduled, McVay heard argument from the plaintiffs that city council did not provide proper notice under the Sunshine Act.

As part of a consent order signed by McVay on Wednesday, McKeesport officials agreed to provide “meaningful public access” either virtually or remotely to all future meetings during the pandemic.

That online access must include at least audio, but preferably both audio and video, the order said.

The agreement also will permit both public comment in writing before the start of the meeting and the ability to accept public comment during the meeting.

Until council approves a more suitable platform, they agree to livestream the audio of their meetings via Tube City Almanac or another similar online platform, the order said.

Public comment can be made in writing up until 15 minutes prior to the start time of any meeting, and anyone wishing to comment live will be permitted to do so.

The next scheduled meeting is at 7 p.m. on April 7.