Monroeville council swears in officials, elects deputy mayor and reappoints municipal manager

Monroeville held its 2026 organizational meeting, during which new and returning council members and the mayor took the oath of office and council completed several routine administrative actions.

Mayor-elect Dennis Biondo was sworn in by a magistrate substitute; other members who took oaths included Joseph Hizzy, John Washington, Michael Adams, Allison Ramsey and Patrick Fulkerson. Dr. Joshua Howard of New Covenant Presbyterian Church offered an invocation earlier in the meeting.

The council nominated and elected Gary Poach as deputy mayor after a motion and second; the clerk conducted a roll call and the presiding officer announced, "The ayes have it." Council then opened a public hearing on an ordinance to reappoint municipal manager Alexander J. Graziani and, following a reading of the ordinance, voted to reappoint Graziani for a 2026–2027 term and approved an employment contract. Graziani later thanked council for renewing his contract and called 2026 a "historic" year for Monroeville with potential plans that could reshape the borough's landscape.

Council also approved a slate of administrative appointments by motion and roll call: Joe Sedlak was named open records officer, Huntington Bank and the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust were listed as treasurers/depositories, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was named the newspaper of record. A council member asked why Huntington Bank remained on the list; staff replied that a letter of interest or other offers had not yet been executed and any future change would be brought to a vote.

The council adopted its 2026 meeting calendar (citizens' night and council work sessions generally the first Tuesday of the month, regular meetings the second Tuesday). During the public comment period Joseph Ventresca, representing the Monroeville Historical Society, thanked council and staff (including Alex Graziani and Ratcher) and volunteers for supporting Heritage Day and the tree-lighting event.

The meeting closed after brief staff and council reports, expressions of welcome to new members and condolences noted for recent local passings; a motion to adjourn carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Election of deputy mayor: Gary Poach — motion nominated and seconded; roll-call vote recorded multiple "Aye" responses; outcome: approved. - Ordinance reappointing municipal manager (Alexander J. Graziani, term 2026–2027) — motion adopted by roll-call vote; outcome: approved. - Appointments (open records officer; depositories; newspaper of record) — motion approved by roll-call vote; outcome: approved. - 2026 council meeting calendar — motion adopted (voice vote); outcome: approved.

Next steps Several development and ordinance items (including Ashbury Court acceptance and demolition candidates) were discussed and remain on the work session/regular meeting agendas for further action.