There was a comprehensive Recreation, Park, and Open Space Plan done in 2002 by Pashek Associates. It is a very large document, over 149 MB, but can be viewed here on the Municipal website. To save time, consider Pashek pages 2-4 & 2-5 particularly, and all 8 "highlights" particularly items 6 and 7. They can be viewed here. The YSA contributions are not a gift to the District. They are responsible for daily preparation for its own use of the fields including dragging, brooming and lining of the fields.
This brings us to the Joint Maintenance Agreement. We have yet another story about YSA's payments. They are NOT up to date on their payments. According to Dr. Steinhauer, the YSA has made their $30,000 payment for the 2010-2011 school year, but the 2011-2012 payment will be changed to $23,000 since Article 4 in the Joint Maintenance Agreement Extension states:
The School District has been in negotiations with YSA, and have decided to lower their $30,000 per year commitment to $23,000 due to any inconvenience as a result of the high school renovation and the reduction of fields. Furthermore, the School District is considering a six month extension contract which would align more with the YSA's collection of dues. According to Dr. Steinhauer, the YSA contribution will be reduced to $10,000 or $11,000 for the six month extension. Dr. Steinhauer stated that the Municipality is reducing the School District's JMA responsibility to $35,700. I have not been able to verify this with the Municipality. Here is the audio clip of the JMA portion of last night's meeting.
4. The total cost for each year of this agreement shall be paid by the District in monthly installments. The monthly payments by the District to the Municipality shall be $6,941.66 ($83,300/ 12), payable on or before the 256’ day of each month. The agreement will be amended and price cost renegotiated should there be a reduction in total fields being maintained or alteration ofthe playing surface.
48 comments:
Does this guy think the district is his?
A gift to the district? How does one give oneself a gift when it comes to prepping a field the taxpayer owns and is using for his families own enjoyment?
We (taxpayers) built the fields, pay one way or another to maintain the fields an use the fields at our own discretion.
There's no gifting of anything, Timmy!
I believe that might have been said when Larry Lebowitz was excited about the YSA's involvement. He has had a major turnaround regarding YSA. Somebody must have gotten to him. Elaine Cappucci was excited to have YSA in the picture. I still have not filed that RTK about the YSA payments. Perhaps someone else in the community will take the time and file a RTK.
Elaine
Here we go again. The school board not listening to the community and doing whatever the hell they please. Of course, if the YSA starts getting involved with how public money is used or abused, I'm going to start filing requests to get all their correspondence. Let's see tough guy Franklin try to avoid it.
You would think with the current economy and given there is a federal investigation that will likely lead to more scrutiny of current board members, some people would be reulctant to start making deals. Collectively we have some of the dumbest people in the state involved with the school board and the YSA.
Gee, does that mean my family pool passes are a gift to the municipality?
Wonder if the IRS will let me take a deduction for that charitable gift?!
That's rich Mr. Steinhauer.
Next time have my car serviced as I hand over my check to the mechanic I'm going to make a big production of reminding him - "YOU UNDERSTAND THIS IS A "GIFT!"
After I remove the tire iron from my cranium...
The District cut the athletic budget 30% over the last three years. Now we are lowering the YSA payments. The Municipality wants to borrow $5.000.000 for fields and are telling us it only cost $30 per year. Oh sure! I believe them. LOL. Just wait till the comic book details this mess.
Thanks Tim.
Is the first qualification to be a school board director is that one must be brain dead?
Just watched Lebo Larry say that the YSA has been "chipping in" to maintain the district's fields. Can he be serious?
Read every position made by the YSA on field maintenance, Larry. Our school district fields are suffering from overuse!
So Larry, are you arguing that the school district is it's own worst enemy and if it weren't for the YSA "chipping in" our fields would be in even worse shape.
C'mon Larry knock off the BS, you're looking like a complete dolt.
According to the Districts own records, here were the YSA UNPAID dollar amounts to the District as of a month or so ago under JMA's going back to 1998 :
1998 = $17,230
2001 = $15,000
2005 = $ 4,000
2008 = $30,000 +
2010 = $20,000
2011 = $30,000*
* a $30,000 payment was made on 1/27/12 by YSA reportedly for 2011; but if that is the case, $30,000 for 2012 has not been paid, $10,000 of which was due on 1/15/12 and the remainder of $20,000 on 7/15/12.
+ allegedly "forgiven" by an unknown District official thought to be either a Super and/or a SB member on the excuse the YSA did not have adequate funds; however, the YSA IRS Form 990 tax return for 2008 shows they had free cash on their balance sheet of over $30,000 at beginning and end of year ! Liar, liar, pants on fire !
The District claimed a couple of weeks ago or so in public that the YSA "was fully up to date" on payments...can the District prove the YSA has paid every penny listed above ?
How about a bunch of you bloggers filing RTK requests for the alleged payment records.
Sounds like a game of Rope-a-Dope. If you can't maintain the fields for 83K, how can you do it for 35?
Don't forget that tonight, Kelly Fraasch will be giving her presentation which does not include turf. Let's see how many YSA members will be there to put pressure on the Commission to turf Wildcat and Middle fields. There has been some activity on Franklin's petition.
I am excited that the School District has hired Pursuing Ketchup to find ways to generate revenue, while at the same time, using our tax dollars to pick up where the YSA is getting a reduction. It is the kids' money which is paying half of the Pursuing Ketchup tab. Our tax dollars are paying the other half.. It is our tax dollars paying for the "inconvenience of the high school project" to start with!
Elaine
"You seem to have more than the average share of intelligence for a man of your background," sneered the lawyer at a witness on the stand.
"If I wasn't under oath, I'd return the compliment," replied the witness.
I rest my case!
Kelly wants to spend more money? How are we ever going to be able to afford to build anything new when we don't have enough money to pay for what we have already?
I was half on board with Ms. Fraasch's plan but after last night's school board discussion concerning fields and the YSA this resident opposes any municipal funding for recreation above and beyond what we are currently paying.
In my opinion they are a bunch of lying, conniving, thieves that will eventually turn MTL into a second rate community.
Stop all interaction with with the YSA by the district and the municipality.
Figure out user fee for the individual youth sports programs and deal with them directly.
Or the municipality should form a municipal recreation authority with bypass, an extremely tight oversight. An annual audit by a new firm at least every two years should be a mandate to eliminate things like knowing if they paid their fees or not.
We still have no answer as to who hung advertising signs on the Dixon ballfield and where the money went!
Please come to the presentation tonight. It is a great plan.
Elaine
It's not a great plan Elaine, Lebofields says it isn't!
Robb Hollow doesn't suit their requirements and if you proceed with putting fields there the YSA will be back next year asking for turf or development of McNeilly.
So don't waste the money - they won't be happy!
Yes, that is what makes it such a great plan. It doesn't have Dave Franklin's approval. Really, please come to the presentation. There is far more than what could be put on a slide.
Elaine
From Lebofields:
"This space can and certainly should be used for something, but given its size it will not likely provide any additional field space for athletes 12 and over, and it is this particular group that is in desperate need of additional locations to practice and play. I would encourage everyone to take a look at this space and judge for yourselves."
So why are we rushing to build fields at Robb Hollow that the apparent Ancient & Royal Youth Sports Alliance doesn't want and won't be happy with?
Stick to your guns, Mr. Kluck! There's a lot more to be discussed.
Remember, last night's meeting was just part of the JMA. The municipality hasn't signed off on it, to my knowledge.
Elaine
So are we now spending money just to tick off Mr. Franklin? Or are we making decisions that will improve the quality of life and recreation in the community?
Nearly a million dollars developing fields the very group your building them for -- doesn't want seems like a fools errand.
Is that the best we can come up with?
Yes, we're only spending money to tick off Mr. Franklin. Really?
Elaine
Yes, REALLY!
Lebofields is telling us: " it will not likely provide any additional field space for athletes 12 and over, and it is this particular group that is in desperate need of additional locations to practice and play."
I don't agree with that claim, but as long as there is a YSA pulling the strings on the school board and with 3 allies on the municipality commission building fields at Robb Hollow is nonsense.
Now then, if Franklin and his YSA is run out of town or taken over by some rational thinking parents, I would change my opinion. But until that first step is taken, I'm sticking with Matt!
Sorry Kelly, I can't support your plan as long as the YSA isn't.
Now if the level-headed sports parents like Chuck B. are going to step up and tell Lebofields to take a hike that could change the whole picture.
Elaine, you wrote here "Dr. Steinhauer stated that the Municipality is reducing the School District's JMA responsibility to $35,700." Do you really think little Timmy made up the $35,700 all by himself?
With the Posti/Cappucci-Brumfield/Linfante YSA alliance Kelly's plan isn't going to keep the YSA happy for long?
I don't think Timmy made it up himself. He only says what he is told to say. But I do think you touched on some people who would have come up with that number.
Elaine
And that is why we can't move Kelly's plan forward (or any plan for that matter) until there are some major changes in how the YSA operates in the community.
To be clear, Kelly's plan isn't just about fields. It is a RECREATION plan and funds a number of things for RECREATION. One facet of which is the addition of a full sized field (despite Mr. Franklin's assertion to the contrary) at Robb Hollow.
Dave Franklin is going to single-handedly ruin the chances for improved field space in Mt. Lebanon. You no-spend ninny's ought to thank him.
Just don't go complaining to Kelly when you get no update to your pool. You get no update to your hockey rink. You get run-down, undermaintained fields, you get crappy neighborhood parks, etc.
If members of the YSA read this blog besides Dave Franklin. Please understand this. If you do not want this plan, you will see no commission in the future spend this much time on recreation and fields. THERE WILL BE NO BOND FLOATED FOR ARTIFICIAL TURF. Repeat after me. THERE WILL BE NO BOND FLOATED FOR ARTIFICIAL TURF. Do you get that?
For the sake of the future of Mt. Lebanon field sports, consolidate behind this plan that adds not one, but TWO additional fields for our field sports teams! It's a good plan and it doesn't break the bank.
Someone help me out here.
Jan Klein said the YSA has fewer fields to use, so they should pay less.
Then she said the municipal fields are being utilized more, so the District should pay more.
Now taxpayers have to bail out the School District in addition to the YSA.
How did the YSA arrange such a sweet deal?
3:49 I reluctantly agreed with you up until last night's board discussion on the JMA.
The fact that Lil Timmy thinks the YSA is to be thanked for maintaing the district's fields is moronic.
It's highly doubtful that HS athletics and gym classes are stressing our fields. So why would the YSA contributions be considered gifts? They're users fees and if they aren't kick the YSA off the fields.
Couple that with Lebo Larry calling YSA contributions "chipping in" and 8 board members sit still for it is unbelievable.
If you believe turf is dead, you must have been asleep during the last election. One more YSA athletic supporter on the commission and we'll soon have 2 new fields PLUS a turfing project.
And Larry "I'm excited" Lebowitz changed his assessment of the YSA, from deadbeats, who better pay up to heroes. Amazing. I have never heard more conflicting information in all my life, than I have with the YSA, in relation to the School District.
Elaine
I'm not a no-spend ninny. Their are a number of projects that need "spending."
Robb Hollow fields are a separate issue and I think it will follow along the same path as the newly inacted sign ordinance. Signs have gone up on muni fields and once again there is no accountability of where the money went!
Robb Hollow will get built and in short order it'll look just like every other Lebo field and in a year or two turfing will be on the table.
If you think my predictions for the future turfing after Robb Hollow gets built are full of mud read LeboFields latest response.
They want their turf and they want it now. I fully expect that blog author to show up at tonight's meeting, stomp his feet, kick and scream - I want turf, I want turf, I want turf and hold his breathe until his face turns blue.
Fix the pool, buy a mower for the golf course and fix up the club house. See how existing maintenance might be improved to our existing fields.
If the YSA is going to continue under the leadership of LeboFields and pals... tell 'em to kiss off.
I would enjoy seeing that. For those of you who need the link to Dave Franklin's blog, it is Lebo Fields.
Elaine
Wait, isn't this the same school board that has to keep borrowing money to pay for an overpriced project nobody wanted? where are they getting all this mystery money to cut the ysa a break?
That's another good argument against Robb Hollow fields. Who's Kelly's plan building them for?
Not me, I think we have enough fields as it is.
Not LeboFields, he doesn't want them!
Meanwhile Lil Timmy let it slip out that the YSA wants to cut their obligation for field maintenance. Taxpayers are going to go on the hook for more fields and the additional upkeep required for them AND the YSA is lobbying for a break in the maintenance fees -- that they don't pay fully in the first place.
They ought to be saying, Kelly's giving us more fields we ought to be helping her out with some more money because we have more kids playing more games. No they want to pay less.
Probably the same place to give Jan Klein a 6.9% raise. But they can cut crew, ice hockey and the rifle range. Doesn't seem quite fair cutting those sports yet supporting field sports organizations. Just whose kids is it for when they say it's for the kids???
Elaine
This might be a good time to share the link to the School District RTK forms once again. PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST FORM
If you circle "e-mail," you can avoid any printing costs.
Elaine
I scan my completed form, attach it to the email, while asking for an email confirmation, and send it to jszalinski@mtlsd.net.
Elaine
Just think, Robb Hollow fields another place for parents to drink!
About RTK's....ask for and stress the terms ALL RECORDS...do not rely on just words like correspondence, letters, e-mails.
How did the arrive at cutting the YSA payment to $23,000 from $30,000?
The two school district field areas unavailable for play are the Rockpile and the little Horsman ballfield.
No matter how you cut it those two fields don't work to $7,000.
Lebo-Lips is upset because the rock pile is gone.
Posti's kid plays lacrosse.
Brumfield doesn't want to tell a 7-year old they can't play sports.
The YSA won't pay but USC charges $100 for one sport and $150 for two sports if paid by August 1st - more if paid after August 1.
The magic money to cut the YSA contribution came from the same pot the 6.9% came from. Tim is OK with that because he needs a raise from the same pile of money.
You can't have upset donors when you are asking for $15,000,000.
After observing Timmy's oversight of the YSA payments, tell him we gave him a raise then don't.
He'll never know the difference.
How much money does the school district contribute to municipal road maintenance? Guess what--there is nothing in law that says the commission can't demand the school participate. We need new sidewalks everywhere along with a LOT of road repair. The school district uses the roads too and should pay their fair share.
Wall Street Journal
August 10, 2012, 7:28 p.m. ET
Hard Times Spread for Cities
Rising Health, Pension Costs Top the List as Municipalities Struggle to Recover From the Recession
And the best way to recover and prepare for rising health and pension obligations. Build sports fields, of course.
@anon 8:58
If you had seen the presentation last night you would know how right you are!
There was a bit of a "oh and by the way, did you know if we build Robb Hollow...". It was like foreshadowing something that will likely happen.
Well done by Mrs. Fraasch.
Kudos to Kelly!
I was running a little behind today, but I wanted to let everyone know that I uploaded the podcasts from last night's meetings on to lebocitizens.com. You can hear Kelly's presentation towards the second half of the Commission Discussion Session Part 1 and the balance of her presentation in Part 2. Dave Brumfield was out of town and couldn't call in. Kristen Linfante was out of town but participated in the meeting via telephone.
Elaine
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