Mario Bellavia has stepped down as Arnold’s city manager, and council wasted no time naming a successor.
Jennifer Schwartz, 43, of Lower Burrell was hired unanimously as the new city manager.
Schwartz has served as a financial clerk at city hall for the past six months. Her new job begins Friday. Mayor Shannon Santucci said Schwartz’s salary will be $75,000, about $5,000 less than Bellavia was paid.
In addition to that turnover at city hall, Treasurer Cathy Ozdany submitted her resignation which council accepted unanimously. Ozdany leaves her post on Feb. 26.
Bellavia, 62, of Plum has served as city manager for seven years, a tenure that was interrupted when he was fired in September 2023 and an interim manager appointed. The dismissal came about a week after Bellavia was applauded by the public for progress on reducing the city’s budget deficit. Reasons for Bellavias’ firing were never disclosed by city officials.
However, the dismissal occurred as a change in city leadership loomed four months later in January 2024 when Shannon Santucci succeeded Mayor Joseph Bia, whom she defeated. When Santucci took office along with new Councilman Aaron Moore, Bellavia was rehired.
“Mario has done a wonderful job,” Santucci told a crowd of about 25 residents at Tuesday’s council meeting, Then turning to him, she said, “I’m really thankful for you.”
Councilman Phil McKinley, who opposed Bellavia’s firing, said, “Mario thank you for all the time you put in and for putting up with all the crazy things you had to deal with.”
Bellavia said he enjoyed his time at city hall, which began in June 2018 when he was hired as a financial clerk. He was appointed to the city manager’s post in 2020.
He said he wanted to do something else, and since his two-year contract expires this week, he and Santucci agreed now would be a good time to make the change.
“I’m going to take some time to figure out what I’m going to do,” Bellavia said, adding that he as “a lot of options.”
Speaking directly to council, Bellavia said, “My recommendation to council is to focus on the infrastructure. Get the sewage (improvements) done first because then you can focus on the business district.”
“Constantly communicate with each other and you will avoid the problems we’ve had in the past,” he added.
Schwartz said before working at city hall in July, she worked in the business office at Fox Chapel Area School District for three years. Before that, she said she worked at the Alle-Kiski Federal Credit Union in New Kensington for 17 years.
“It’s a new adventure for sure,” Schwartz said of her new job. “I’m really excited to help the city and work with mayor and council on their vision (for the city) and making it happen.”
“Jen is very, very knowledgeable and it’s already been a smooth transition,” Bellavia told council.
“She will probably have a much easier and better temperament than I had, especially on the budget,” Bellavia said, drawing laughter from council and the audience.
City treasurer stepping down
Ozdany, 72, has been a city employee since 2017 when she was appointed as a deputy to City Treasurer Joseph Puet. When Puet resigned in 2018, council appointed Ozdany as his successor.
She subsequently ran for the elective office and was elected to two terms.
City officials also praised Ozdany for her work ethic and introducing more technology in the operation of the treasurer’s office.
Retired city redevelopment director Rick Rayburg, now working on a temporary basis, praised Ozdany and Bellavia.
“They were both tremendous assets to the city and I would like to thank them both,” he said.
Santucci said Ozdany wanted to step down before.
“Cathy, I refused to take her resignation before, I ripped it up. That’s why she’s still here,” Santucci said, prompting more audience laughter.