On April 19, 2012, the Commission held a special meeting to get input on parks/rec maintenance, and improvements. Link to special meeting. Unfortunately, the applause tends to get annoying. According to the rules, applause is frowned upon and discouraged.
On April 23, 2012, the Commission held a public hearing on the unassigned fund balance for certain capital projects. Link to the Manager's Recommended Ranking of Potential Capital Improvements Kelly Fraasch and Matt Kluck put together a plan which was picked apart by Dave Brumfield and Kristen Linfante. It included a mower for the golf course to replace the broken one. It was eliminated! Turf war? includes a letter from Kelly Fraasch explaining the plan. Dave Brumfield's plan is to turf Middle and Wildcat fields, which are the Municipality's finest fields. Here is what is left of the ordinance which will be voted on at the next meeting. http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/8935
May I remind everyone of an event which will be taking place in October? Plein Air Comes To Town October 2- 7; artists will be coming from all over to Mt. Lebanon neighborhoods to paint over 200 pieces of art and sell them. We will be able to request locations, in hopes that an artist chooses it. Do you think we should be spending money on artificial turf for fields that are already in great condition? That money will go far in beautifying our community for this event. Or we could spend it all on artificial turf. Your choice. Please vote accordingly.
The only concern I have with Kelly's plan is according to wikipedia there are currently 5,223 students enrolled in the MTL school district today.
ReplyDeleteThe PA Dept. of Ed. predicts enrollment falling to 4,660 by 2019.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mt._Lebanon_School_District
So my concern is do we really really need another field? Seriously, in '70sthere were something like 8,000 students and we got by.
Other than that the plan seems to make sense. Improving field maintenance would go along away to keeping fields usable.
"OK, you convinced me. Let's petition the Municipality and the School District to maintain what we have, including fixing the drainage at about 7 or 8 of the 17 fields that really, really need it. Then let's buy the mowers, the grass seed, the fertilizer, the gas, the pesticides, the water, and the personnel to properly maintain these 17 facilities as long as we have them. I'm all for it. Let's do it right and maintain everything we have right now - all 17 fields - at a level at which we can all be proud. And let's do it with grass! We don't need a square foot of turf and we don't need any new facilities.
ReplyDeleteMake no mistake about it guys, the sports associations would love that. Like I said last night, the community made the decision to be in the recreation business long ago, so we better be prepared to do it right. Sounds like you all agree!!
So, do I have your support to make that pitch to the Commissioners and the SB? Who will join me?
I'm sure in the end we will spend far more in our lifetimes than simply turfing Mellon. But as long as we all agree that's the way to go, let's do it!"
Dave Franklin
April 24, 2012 11:11 AM
I'm confused. At least one maybe two Commissioners have said just that-let's fix the fields that we have. They are on board with cost in mind. Where are you? Not standing by your word from what I see.
No worries about that. Brumfield didn't think it was worth fixing Brafferton. Kelly asked if we should just let it go back to nature. Kelly was trying to stretch out the money to help as many residents as possible. They voted against the Cedar plan. The remaining commissioners don't even want to maintain the golf course!
ReplyDeleteElaine
Anon 12:59
ReplyDeleteThanks for the conversation. A couple of folks emailed me about your post. I looked at our enrollment awhile ago, but one thing that strikes me is the enrollment in our sports activities and the range of programs that have increased over the years.
My thoughts/vision is this---I would like to see us start designating our fields for specific age groups. My intention is to get the younger groups off of Middle/Wildcat/Dixon or at least a large percentage off the field. Soccer (for the younger kids) eat up our fields along Cedar Blvd. I have walked out there after a Saturday and wondered how the fields were going to be functional for the week. I think that Brafferton is a great field/park for our younger sports (maybe up to age 12). It has been used a little more this past year, but definitely has scheduling space if we drain/sod properly. If we build a Jr grass field, this would only help us with maintaining the other fields. Getting kids off of Brafferton when it's looking run down (let it rest) or if a group is scheduled for Bird but Bird needs a break. We could send the group to the Jr. field. I have heard from folks that want us to just maintain what we have, I have heard from folks that want a new turf field and I have heard from our staff that we need an extra field some where to fix our space problem. I think this is a middle ground solution. That's why I am wanting to see this Commission fix the fields we have Bird/Brafferton and add a field.
I say sell the fields! A penny saved is twopence dear!
ReplyDeleteBen Franklin
(Dave Franklin's estranged cousin)
The best things in life are free...and better for you. Stick with grass.
ReplyDeleteWe're don't want to hear the excuse "But it's for the kids" anymore...especially not when elected officials waste money such as blowing $1 million on Twin Hills.
Maddie Miller
"Like I said last night, the community made the decision to be in the recreation business long ago, so we better be prepared to do it right. Sounds like you all agree!!"
ReplyDeleteNo, we do not ALL agree. I will concede that this is likely the majority opinion - but it is not the libertarian opinion. And even if I am the only one in Mt. Lebanon to advance free market principles as a solution to this field issue, I would prefer that than being lumped into the mix.
If there is a market for field recreational facilities in Mt. Lebanon (and aren't we all "rich?") the sell them to a private company to operate at a (gasp!) profit. If not, consider leasing the fields to an NPO on condition that they be "properly maintained." The NPO may then charge adequate fees to cover its costs. Only make sure that the contact is more than a wish and a prayer - we've been down that road already.
I have to question the Township taking on more fields when it's pretty clear that maintaining what exists is stretching the extend of our financial resources. And any talk of involving the School District? Are you serious? They're over $1 million in the hole and bonded up to their neck.
ReplyDeleteI've said this before, I don't hear anyone saying "Or." It's always "and." It's clear that we aren't in a position financially to be saying "and." What will be cut to cover the cost and maintenance of a new field? Or will that be the reason for a tax raise in the near future?
If the Commissioners are this careless on a small fund balance can you imaging what the Board could do with $30,000,000?
ReplyDeleteThe sports groups would all line up to get their CUT!
This is the most dysfunctional commission I've ever seen.
John Ewing
Mr Gideon, why must you hate the children? - just kidding.
ReplyDeleteYour plan is one of the few that actually make sense.
I would go so far as to say there may be a majority of "voices" but that majority is not a true majority of people living in the township. Not everyone in this township has time to show up at a public forum and most people just don't get involved. I would go so far as to say a VAST MAJORITY of residents, if they actually knew what was going on, would be rather upset.
A brand new [to me] article about grass vs. artificial turf.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Here is a good one with someone from Penn State on the Board.
ReplyDeleteA Guide to Synthetic and Natural Turfgrass
for Sports Fields
One of the things to watch out for is holding a graduation on artificial turf may void a warranty. Oh boy.
Also, the high field temperatures keeps coming up. I was around when Coach Goff died on the field. It was a very hot day. He was a great teacher too. That really shook up the community.
Elaine
Mr. Franklin, no let's go with your plan.
ReplyDeleteLet's buy the vacuum cleaners, the cleaning chemicals and the additional maintenance hours (yes maintenance read the report's comparisons), as well as the regular 8-10 year $700,000 replacement of the artificial turf and disposal of the wornout turf for one field. Not to mention the heat issues, higher incidence of injuries, concussions and bacterial. Infections.
With all of the above what do we wind up with. One lousy field open for play a few more hours.
Smart!
Regarding the Plein Air.
ReplyDeleteIf an artist sees a deer eating, should they paint it or call 911?
David Huston
The artist should paint it. Deer are allowed to eat. We won't be allowed to feed them by providing salt licks or field corn. Even hunters aren't supposed to bait them, David.
ReplyDeleteElaine
I will not vote for the DB proposal because the unassigned fund balance should be for immediate needs that do not get approved in the operating or capital budgets. This plan will use all if not more than is needed thus resulting in the gain for one particular need instead of spreading the fund balance over many needs. Parklets, parks, traffic islands and other esthetic qualities that are being let go in Mt. Lebanon need attention because of the historic nature of these landscape design features. If this stays the course I would argue that we give back the taxpayers the tax increase that was passed last year because I voted positively to the increase due to the information by the manager(Manager’s Recommended Budget) that the tools(funding) were needed to effectively run government.
ReplyDeleteI will back Kelly on many, if not all of her proposals because we have spent hours crafting the undesignated proposal together, arguing the various programs between ourselves and creating a plan that benefits more of our residents. Hockey, the pool, tennis, golf, etc. have many “pressing” needs as well. Why respond to just one?!
Matt Kluck
Thank you, Mr. Kluck. A rational response and a great performance of your duties as a commissioner.
ReplyDeleteWell done.
A special request from the commissioners. Any responses to their posts will require your proper signature.
ReplyDeleteIt would really be helpful. No reason to remain anonymous when you are being complimentary!!!
Elaine
I heard from Kristen Linfante and John Bendel this evening. They are in favor of Dave Brumfield's plan to turf Wildcat and Middle fields. I sent them the results, so far, on artificial turf. Looks like a done deal, so I am closing the poll. They really don't care what we think.
ReplyDeleteElaine