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A proposed ordinance that would have banned city employees, elected officials or their relatives from serving on certain unpaid boards and committees was tabled Wednesday night for revisions.

The suggestion to table the bill for more review was made by Councilman A.J. Tedesco Jr. "I believe it was a well-intentioned ordinance and I think it's a positive step in the right direction," said Tedesco, but added the heated discussion at Tuesday night's council work session suggested the bill needs more work.

Councilmen Dan Carr and Richard Dellapenna Jr. voted against tabling the legislation.

Council President Darryl Segina, who introduced the ordinance, apologized for the tone of Tuesday's meeting and promised to solicit more input from council and city administrators. "We will bring back a better bill," he said.

Segina said he introduced the legislation in part because of a decision last year by the sewerage authority to make an early repayment of $24 million in debt owed to the city. At the time, three members of the authority's five-person board were elected officials or city employees.

Segina joined council colleagues and Mayor Michael Cherepko in calling for a return to civility. "The past two meetings, what has gone on, I intend to stop that," Segina said.

Cherepko said recent council meetings don't reflect work being done behind the scenes by council, the administration and department heads. "We are all working tirelessly to move this city forward," he said, "but it seems like we take three steps forward and then come to a council meeting and take five steps back."

Councilman Richard Dellapenna Jr., who was elected in November to fill a seat held by his late father, said that he ran for office "with the intention of doing something positive" for McKeesport. "It's disheartening when I go to work and hear from people as far away as South Fayette about this 'circus' that we're having," Dellapenna said. "Let's stop the fighting and move this city forward."

Council Vice President Dale McCall said the Tuesday meeting --- though messy --- might actually have cleared the air and the relationship between members of council. "This is a learning process, and I think we took a great step forward," he said.

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