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City council has finally approved a controversial grant program funded by former Mayor Jim Brewster's back pay.

At a special meeting Monday night, council voted 5-1 to release nearly $41,000 to 27 charitable organizations in the city. Councilman A.J. Tedesco Jr. cast the only no vote, while Councilman Darryl Segina was absent.

Among those voting yes --- after a long pause for consideration --- was newly installed Councilman Rich Dellapenna Jr., who was sworn in before the meeting by Magisterial District Judge Eugene Riazzi.

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With the mayor's seat up for grabs in this fall's election, the grant program became a hot political topic, and action has been delayed for months.

The $41,000 for the Brewster grant program was approved by city council in December, was included in the 2011 budget and represents deferred compensation --- the difference between the salary that Brewster says he was owed and the paychecks he actually collected. Following his election to the state senate, the former mayor asked that the money be donated to the charities.

Under the city's Home Rule Charter, the mayor's salary is fixed at 5 percent more than the city administrator's. Brewster was actually paid less during his term than City Administrator Dennis Pittman.

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Brewster's political opponents --- including City Controller Raymond Malinchak --- argued that Brewster wasn't entitled to the money because city council never officially voted to defer any of his salary. They have also argued that part of Pittman's compensation comes from his duties in the city's Community Development Department and shouldn't be counted as part of his salary.

In a written opinion to council, newly appointed City Solicitor Bruce Dice ruled that the mayor's compensation is based on Pittman's total salary, not a portion of it, and that council is legally allowed to disburse the money.

Councilwoman Fawn Walker, who earlier this month voted against acting on the Brewster grant program, said she was satisfied with Dice's legal opinion.

"But I agree with Councilman Segina that we need to (pass) an ordinance to make sure this doesn't happen again," Walker said.

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During a public comment period before the vote, Beatrice Longo of Haler Heights, a frequent critic of city government, chastised council and argued that Dice shouldn't have made a ruling until he had reviewed every city budget and the minutes of every council meeting during Brewster's seven years in office.

Longo was the only resident who addressed council. But a handful of others in the audience hissed epithets at council members, including "bastards!" and "unbelievable," and one woman was reprimanded by Council President Mike Cherepko for shouting at the board.

Malinchak, who has been rumored to be considering a run for the mayor's office as an independent or write-in candidate, tried to interrupt the voting with questions, but was ruled out of order by Cherepko. "You've had five months to ask questions, Mr. Malinchak," Cherepko said. "Now, we're voting."

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The charities receiving grants of $1,517 each include Carnegie Library of McKeesport, Charles Lickert Walking Trail, Christy Park United Methodist Church, The Consortium for Public Education, the Garden Club of McKeesport, Harrison Village Honor Roll (McKeesport Past and Present Reunion), Hope House (Sonshine Community Ministries), The Intersection, Kiesel Christian Rehab, LaRosa Boys and Girls Club of McKeesport, and the McKees Point Palisades Center for the Performing Arts.

Also receiving grants of $1,517 each are McKeesport NAACP, McKeesport Heritage Center, McKeesport Joint Task Force, McKeesport Kiwanis Club, McKeesport Lions Club, McKeesport Little Theater, McKeesport Meals on Wheels, McKeesport Ministerium, McKeesport Trail Commission, Noah's Ark Community Center (Bethlehem Baptist Church), Pauline Auberle Foundation, Renzie Park Senior Center, Salvation Army of McKeesport, Steel Valley OIC, Womansplace and YMCA of McKeesport.

Several of the organizations receiving grants are faith-based charities or churches. Attorney Chelsea Dice, who represented Bruce Dice at Monday's meeting, said a stipulation would have to be attached to those grants cautioning the recipients that the money could not be used for religious activities.

The meeting began with Dellapenna's swearing in. Council earlier this month appointed Dellapenna to fill the remaining months on the term of his late father, who died May 25. The younger Dellapenna's appointment was scheduled to begin on July 1, but Cherepko said after Monday's meeting that Dice informed council that the position couldn't be held open in that manner.

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