Let me try to explain the board. Each commissioner had to come up with three items which were most important to them.
Dave’s top 3 priorities
Sports Advisory Board
New revenue
Technology media outreach (to be transparent to the public)
Kristen’s top 3 priorities
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Sports Advisory Board
Deer management program
John’s top 3 priorities
Adopt a 2014 budget with no tax increase
Comprehensive Plan
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Kelly’s top 3 priorities
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Drug task force
Implement traffic management program
Matt’s top 3 priorities
Adopt a 2014 budget with no tax increase
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Public Private Partnership (new revenue)
Commission Goals and Priorities for 2013
2014 Budget (#2)
Comprehensive Plan
TOD
Drug Task Force
Traffic Management Program
Public Private Partnership (#1B)
Sports Advisory Board (#3)
Deer management
Tech/Media Outreach (#1A)
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Sports Advisory Board
Deer management program
John’s top 3 priorities
Adopt a 2014 budget with no tax increase
Comprehensive Plan
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Kelly’s top 3 priorities
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Drug task force
Implement traffic management program
Matt’s top 3 priorities
Adopt a 2014 budget with no tax increase
TOD (Transit-Oriented Development)
Public Private Partnership (new revenue)
Looking at the white board, there are dots next to the goals listed. Each commissioner was to vote by placing a blue dot next to what should be the top three priorities for Mt. Lebanon. The green dot represents which three are best for each commissioner's ward, while the red dot was to stand for the commissioners' top 3 priorities. Notice there is one blue dot, one green dot, and one red dot next to deer management. Kristen was the only commissioner to place a dot next to deer management.
Last year's top rated goals were revenue generating and recreation. Tallying the dots, here are the commissioners' top priorities, along with goals for 2013.
2014 Budget (#2)
Comprehensive Plan
TOD
Drug Task Force
Traffic Management Program
Public Private Partnership (#1B)
Sports Advisory Board (#3)
Deer management
Tech/Media Outreach (#1A)
I recorded the retreat but have not posted it yet on Lebocitizens.com. When I do, please listen to Kristen explain how the Sports Advisory Board's purpose is to resolve the fields problem. Dave Brumfield looked down at the table when she said that. Kristen also felt that drugs are a problem everywhere so they really can't do anything about it. She did make mention how she asked for an additional increase of $1,000 for Outreach.
All in all, I found the retreat to be fascinating. I should mention that Steve Feller sat with the commissioners and Marcia Taylor, Chief Coleman McDonough and Chief Nick Sohyda sat in the audience. The only other person there was yours truly.
87 comments:
This resident likes the 2013 goals to come out of the meeting. Thanks for the excellent write up Elaine, you're getting to be quite the reporter. The Trib should hire you to cover the Lebo beat.
It'll be interesting to compare MTLmagazine's perspective.
Q: does revenue generation carry over to top the 2013 goals or does it drop off completely?
Q: if the SAB is #6, why does it seems every discussion here ends up reviolving around turf and athletics?
Just what would a drug task force do? Good words, but what about the actions?
Good point. The Feds have been fighting a War on Drugs since Nixon started it in 1971 with very little to show for the effort.
Plus, Mt. Lebanon has been adding recreational programs for kids at the same time and the problem appears to be growing.
It appears something else needs to be developed.
8:50 and 9:10 PM, you don't want to wait to see what the experts come up with? Wow!
8:16 PM, thanks. MTL Magazine was not there. No one from the PIO attended the retreat. Instead they were on Facebook asking what books we would take with us if we had to be on Noah's Ark for forty days. How much is the PIO costing us? I have the only record of the retreat which was open to the public.
Elaine
9:10 here. Didn't say that I didn't want to see what experts come up with. Locking up kids and more police hasn't been successful, something creative needs to be developed to be sure.
No from the PIO office?
But I thought the whole "aim of [their] blog, [Lebo Life] which should launch within the next month, will be to promote positive and constructive conversations about things that enhance quality of life in Mt. Lebanon."
So the Commission holds a retreat to promote positive and constructive conversation and the Lebo Life bloggers don't even bother to attend!
Odd isn't it? Must not have fit their agenda.
I uploaded the podcast. It is 3.5 hours long, so it takes some time for the file to open. Commission retreat 02/26/13
Elaine
Where was the IT dept. ? Where was the PIO ? Thank you, Elaine ! We could save a million $$ because of you !!!
I wonder if the Drug Task Force and the Traffic Management Program could both be part of the drug problem solution.
So the Sports Advisory Board isn't really a "Sports" Advisory Board at all.
It is just a front for Lebo Fields! Thank you Ms. Linfante for spilling the beans.
"Sports Advisory purpose is to solve the field problem."
Thank you Mrs. Linfante for clearing that up. If I were the other sports, I would turn in your resignation, because your sport isn't a part of the "Bendel-Brumfield" agenda.
7:13, this might explain why Brumfield had to reach out to Upper St. Clair for hockey team representation.
Maybe I am missing something in the process here but the TOD was in the top three for ALL commissioners but didn't make the top three for the final list?
But a "fields" group did?
Priorities really are interesting aren't they.
While I don't agree with their priority choices, I do wish the school board would adopt this transparent process of goal setting.
Elaine
Bottom line is, ths SAB is bunk, a drug task force is a waste of money (since im pretty sure MLPD devotes time and effort toward interdiction), and MtL mag isnt interested in covering real issues. Want to pay for turf, Dave? Propose getting rid of our community comic book. I cant handle more stories on garden tours or ML grads who are succesful...in other cities...
Concerning TOD, call me stupid, but wouldn't low taxes be the primary thing - the commissioners could do - to attract development?
Low taxes keeps money in peoples pockets. People with money in their pocket therefore have more money to spend. Businesses tend to go where they'll make money and if MTL property taxes are higher than Scott, USC, Bethel, Castle Shannon, Baldwin and Dormont they'll build there and let the customers come to them.
The only other option the commissioners have is to grant tifs which penalizes the current businesses and taxpayers.
I think it is ridiculous that the Commission must do this in front of an audience. I cannot imagine how chilling that is to any real discussion. So they have to put on a show and get what you would expect to see from a show. I think they should go in a room behind closed doors and really talk freely. It is the only way things will improve. I am not a sunshine law expert and have no idea what the rules are but I think they should be aloud to have retreats in private, or frankly, not bother having them at all.
Thanks Kristen, for your input.
Elaine
10:19 so what is keeping the commissioners from talking freely in front of an audience?
Is turfing fields Mt. Lebanon's Manhattan Project?
What happened to transparency in government? How are we suppose to know what our individual representatives are thinking?
I'm with Elaine, I'd like to see the school directors hold a similar venue.
We had a townhall where several officials tried to hold an open forum and were lambasted for not being open enough... remember "What the Kluck?"
Now you're arguing for total secrecy. Which is it... transparent government or closed door government?
I'll take complete and open any day as there is nothing these 5 individuals should be talking about (except specific personnel matters) that the stakeholders shouldn't be privy too.
I'd like to hear your case for the opposite?
Elaine is 10:19 one of those people that go after anon posters?
"I am not a sunshine law expert and have no idea what the rules are but I think they should be aloud to have retreats in private, or frankly, not bother having them at all. " Apparently you're not a spelling expert, either. Aloud/allowed. Gosh they're so close.
I AM an expert in the sunshine law. It was enacted to prevent government action behind closed doors so dirtbag politicians couldnt do things like cut deals that helped out their friends or spent money unwisely (like advisory boards and deer kills).
God read a few paragraphs about our nation. If you really are Kristen, you need to resign. you have no business in elected office since you don't know anything about the law or government.
I'm surprised by the "closed door" comment. Elaine, did Commissioners find a problem with you being there?
Someone explain to me where it says in the job descriptions that Marcia Taylor, Coleman McDonough and Chief Nick Sohyda have to attend commission team building retreats even though they are not part of the team?
Who was managing fincances, catching criminals and putting out fires on time and a half while they were team building?
If they are attending as residents, did they use vacation time or taxpayer time?
How much did the municipality pay the consultant to do the exercise?
Did attendees get reimbursed for their mileage to attend the event?
Interesting!
On May 8, 2012 an ordinance was rushed through to generate revenue by approving field sign advertising.
One of President Brumfield's 3 top priorities is revenue, yet in 10 months there hasn't been a word on how or where the money generated from field signs is suppose to go.
You want revenue, you pass an ordinance to make it possible then nada? Nothing? What was the rush?
11:41AM, actually Matt encouraged me to attend and to bring my recorder. He is a good guy and has nothing to hide. The only person that actually seemed upset with my presence was Kristen, but that is ongoing.
11:44 AM, Coleman and Nick were there part of the time. Marcia was there for the entire retreat. I saw how they were there in body, but they clearly were working while they were there. I had no issue with either of them.
Elaine
I got this from Matt.
The TOD and the Private/Public were categorized together. The TOD is still in the top 3 priorities.
Best regards,
Matt
I do remember that, Matt. Thanks for the clarification.
Elaine
Are you kidding. You have a problem with dept. heads being present 11:44 in a retreat on how to make this a better community?
Yeah you're right 11:44, our public employees' time is better spent writing editorials on their childhood in the bubble and the best way to cut thru my neighborhood in their car.
I would say 1B and 2 are dependent on each other.
That and isn't homeownership and business property a public/private partnership with the municipality?
The more money you suck out businesses and residents pockets for government operations, the less they have to spend at places like Rolliers, Starbucks, Bistro19, le Pompanee, etc.
Matt is the only one in my opinion that has his priorities in order.
12:39, explain to me where "make this a better community" is in the job descriptions of the municipal employees in attendance.
Then explain how their jobs were being done while they were away from their duties.
"Kristen was the only commissioner to place a dot next to deer management."
If we're keeping score, there's only one dot next to Drug Task Force as well...
1:17 PM, I am glad you pointed that out. Sports Advisory Board seems more important to the Commission. Look at each commissioner's priorities.
Elaine
12:39, explain where it says in this legal notice:
http://pa.mypublicnotices.com/PublicNotice.asp?Page=PublicNotice&AdId=3065384
that municipal employees will be paid to attend.
12:39 ou are kidding right?
What are the job descriptions of the various municipal employees?
The chief's job is to serve and protect for instance. If the commissioners are coming up with future duties for the police department, wouldn't it be smart for the chief to know exactly what they have in mind.
Plus, since he is the expert on the number of drug arrest, complaints and EMT assist on overdoses, the sooner he knows the mindset of the people that authorize his paycheck the sooner he can get back to them on his experience and suggestions.
You see I'm sorry, I don't think any of the commissioners have as good a handle on drug use or deer accidents as the chief does.
To me it was well worth his (and the others) hourly wage to have them at the meeting.
You ask me leaving "make this a better community" up to 5 individuals with their individual agendas is a fools errand.
1:07 I guess only the PIO and her hand picked friends are the 'better community" designates, right?!
Was Solutions 21 really the lowest bidder?
http://www.auditorgen.state.pa.us/Department/Press/WagnerSaysHeWillReviewLCBContract.html
To 10:19 AM:
Elected officials often have their own agendas, some of which may be great ideas. However, these agendas are carried out using taxpayers' money.
Therefore, isn't it only fair that residents be provided with the opportunity to witness deliberation and participate themselves?
Here's the original Sunshine Act, which was first enacted in the 1970s and has been amended several times:
http://dash.drnpa.org/file/the-sunshine-act.pdf
http://dash.drnpa.org/file/the-sunshine-act.pdf
Hey 1:07 try this on for size from the Administrative Code!
122.2 Each Department Director or Chief shall:
122.2.1 Cooperate with other departments in furnishing them such
service, labor and materials as may be requested by the Director
or Chief of such other department, subject to such regulations as
the Manager may prescribe.
122.2.2 Manage and supervise the activities and personnel of his
department, establish objectives and standards for the
performance of work and administer the operations of the
department in an efficient manner for the effective providing of
services.
122.2.3 Develop and recommend an annual budget and program plan for
his department, approve and control the expenditure of funds
within the department’s approved budget, and report to the
Manager on the operations and activities of the department.
122.2.4 Consult with and advise the Manager on the operation of the
Municipality as it relates to his department and perform such
other duties, activities and functions as the Manager may direct.
Read 122.2.2 very closely and tell me how sitting in on a discussion for 'establishing objectives' for future municipal priorities doesn't mesh with "making this a better community."
1:54 I never said that the municipal employees were paid. I don't know if they were or not and particularly don't care if they were or not.
If they gave of their own FREE time they are to be commend!
If they were paid, I believe its part of their job desciption and don't have any problem with their attendence.
You obviously have some sort of problem so tell us how were they malignant in their duties?
1:54 does it say the commissioners will be paid to attend in the public notice? They too get very small paychecks for being commissioners.
Elaine: I hope the following isn't too far off topic!
I want to publicly thank Matt Kluck, Steve Feller, and John Ferguson for helping me make some sense out of the new and improved Mt. Lebanon year end EIT tax form that comes to us via Jordan Tax Service as a result of State mandated regional tax collection of local earned income tax. The form was actually designed by the State, and has a rather confusing array of options never before seen on a municipal tax return. For example, while Mt. Lebanon has traditionally marked its return forms with "NO JOINT RETURNS PERMITTED," the form from Jordan has selections for single, married filing jointly; married filing separately, or Final Return. Also, the traditional filing deadline of 30 April has been changed: it is now 15 April, to line up with State and Federal forms.
According to Mr. Feller, Mt. Lebanon opposed the regional tax collection consolidation and has found that the consolidation costs are slightly higher than when the municipality did the job itself. The new form, which has two columns for two individual taxpayers in the same household, is not intended to be a "joint return" but rather is intended to allow filers to use one piece of paper rather than two. Wages are still "filed" separately.
Apparently both Jordan and the Mt. Lebanon Tax Office have been deluged with telephone calls from confused and sometimes irate taxpayers, trying to make heads or tails out of the thing. Personal note: If you try calling Jordan you might wish to be comfortably seated with a good book and something to eat at hand, as it'll be a long, arduous process to get through.
Our commissioners and municipal employees sometimes take a lot of (justifiable) heat for the things they do, but when they supply rapid service to a constituent I think it should be noted.
1:07 if you believe Marcia Taylor, Chief Coleman McDonough and Chief Nick Sohyda were delinquent in their duties as municipal employees I recommend you file a comlaint with Mr. Feller and the Commissioners. That is your right as a taxpayer.
Get back to us and let us know how that is received, please.
I've always found the Tax Office employees to be pleasant and helpful.
What I find infiuriating is that the tax office can set deadlines for payments TO THEM, but there is no deadline for how long they may take to distribute refunds.
As an example of kid making less than $10,000 is entitled to have their LST paycheck automatic deductions returned. Which they could apply to their EIT.
But even though Jordan already has their $52 LST if they don't pay the EIT by the deadline they owe penalties and interest.
2:29, I read 122.2.2 very closely, but you did not.
It says, "establish objectives and standards for the
performance of work".
It does not involve municipal Commission goal-setting for future municipal priorities. The objectives and standards for the performance of work is done after consulting with the Manager, and functions as the Manager may direct. Not the Commission. Not team building. Is the staff in charge of the elected officials?
3:06, do you want the assistant manager, police chief and the fire chief setting priorities on the best use of taxpayer dollars?
Should these public service professionals who make a living spending public money be performing "team building" exercises with elected officials charged with safeguarding tax dollars and protecting the public interest?
To add insult to injury, the professionals are being paid to attend the taxpayer-funded retreat!
Shouldn't they already be trained to perform their duties at the time they are hired by the municipality?
Whose team are you on?
3:37, there is a lot of unfairness with local taxes.
Why can't you deduct local real estate tax payments from the income used to calculate EIT tax liability? Clearly a double tax.
Who initiated the Commission Retreat ?
3:57 read it again!
"...administer the operations of the department in an efficient manner for the effective providing of services."
No I don't think the police and fire chief should be setting priorities per se. But they should be on hand to advise the Commissioners on what is and isn't possible.
I believe the underlying theme of the Retreat was in part to discuss providing efficient AND EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SERVICES - such as perhaps "deer control" or better recreation facilities.
Unless you think Kristen is going to go out and hunt deer or provide EMT at a deer accident, the managers should attend these types of meetings if there are no conflicts with their primary duties.
I'm finished with this silly discussion.
Had the commissioners added the new storm water fee into the local taxes we could have at least deducted them from our Federal Tax liabilities!
But since they in their infinite wisdom set it up as a fee instead of a local tax.
4:12 yes, there is a lot of unfairness in local taxes. I remember back in the 80s or 90s a taxpayer sued and I think won, because USC said profits from stocks or other investments were taxable Earned Income. He argued that if he could be taxed on profits he should be able to deduct losses which USC didn't allow at the time.
You'd have to check with an accountant to confirm if my recollection is correct.
3:28, I'm sure Marcia Taylor, Chief Coleman McDonough and Chief Nick Sohyda did what they were told by attending the retreat.
That doesn't make it right.
Who is watching the [taxpayer] store?
4:33, how does this work, when you're finished that's it? I've been waiting all this time for you to say it's finished. You expect me to be finished also?
2:59 did write, "sitting in on a discussion for 'establishing objectives' "
That is "setting priorities" Per se, a Latin phrase meaning "in itself".
Kristen has already addressed deer kills with the Chief in prior municipal meetings.
Team-building is about elected officials discussing priorities with each other, not the hired help.
I'm finished with your silly discussion.
4:32 PM, I want to say that Steve Feller initiated it, only because it started after Dan Miller was off the Commission. When talking with Steve after the retreat was over, solutions 21 ran two retreats last year, one in April when they set goals for revenue generating and recreation, and the other one was during budget time. Steve found the second one helpful when putting together the recommended budget. This might be a question for the commissioners to answer.
Elaine
4:33 I didn't say "that's it", I said I was finished with the topic. I'm OK with then being there and have nothing more to add.
If you want to keep talking about three employees sitting in on the retreat, by all means-- go right ahead, type till your fingers fall off if you wish.
I found this comment by 3:57 offensive and inaccurate: "Should these public service professionals who make a living spending public money be performing "team building" exercises with elected officials charged with safeguarding tax dollars and protecting the public interest?"
Last time I looked the Chiefs made their "living" serving and protecting us and our property.
And they put their lives at risk doing so and are worth every dime they make.
You owe them an apology 3:57.
6:31, the Chiefs should serve and protect us and our property instead of participating in elected official team-building workshops.
You owe 3:51 an apology.
11:44 asked 5 very good questions.
Instead of arguing with the poster, which one of you anonymous municipal employees is going to answer them?
Visit the solutions 21 website. In it you'll find this lesson.
"Involve your key people in the planning process. The reality is that your key people will be implementing it. They may also have the best ideas as you start to roll this process out further to advance your business and to rest of the team.
7:49 why do I owe 3:51 an apology?
They DID NOT say the Chiefs made their living serrving and protectIng us. They said the Chiefs made their living spending public money.
The problem is that the first hour was going to be for team building. The balance was for goals and priorities. I really don't see a problem with the chiefs being there. It is not like they were sitting there the whole time. They were in the Public Safety Building, where they normally work. They were in and out throughout the meeting. Let's not make this about them.
Elaine
6:31, 8:33 Nobody at the team-building workshop put their lives at risk.
If the Chiefs attend a goals setting workshop with elected officials, they are being paid with public money, attending the workshop paid for with public money, influencing how elected officials spend public money by participating, causing possible overtime by having others cover for them, and spending public money when they do department budgets. How is pointing out the facts of what staff members do on the job offensive to you or anyone else? If a resident feels government money is being wasted on improper staff utilization, how is that questioning the value of anyone's life? You need a serious attitude adjustment, and if you are a municipal employee, should consider another line of work. And you still owe the taxpayers an apology.
8:13 Why did the municipality choose to do business with a company that had an appearance of a conflict of interest with the Liquor Control Board?
"In awarding a contract to the spouse of one of its regional managers, the PLCB should have anticipated the reasonable public questioning that would result over a potential conflict of interest, regardless of whether that conflict was an actual conflict or the appearance of a conflict,"
http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_622909.html
9:14 you win. The Chiefs aren't doing their jobs unless they're sitting behind the wheel of their patrol car or fire engine.
Happy, can we now get back to discussing the Goals and Priorities to come out of the meeting?
I am going to ask again, please let's not make this about the chiefs. Have you heard the podcast? You can hear their radios. Also, when you are in the hallways, you can hear the radios. When they were in the room, they were still working. Remember, we were in the Public Safety Building.
Can we please get back to the commissioners' goals and priorities?
Thanks for trying to bring it back, 9:32 PM.
Elaine
You're welcome Elaine.
Was there much discussion/debate by each commissioner on their personal priorities and why they ranked them?
I'm specifically curious about Technology Media Outreach. What is that and why is it Brumfield's 3rd priority, but doesn't appear on anyone else's list?
After seeing it brought up did anyone go: "oh yeah, that's important" or "oh no not this year, Dave."
I'm relatively familiar with Media Outreach such as in--
Media Outreach Vs. Media Relations
by Kimetris N. Baltrip, Demand Media
"Stories that appear in newspapers or on television often provide free publicity and promotion for a small business. But getting your company's name in mass media requires strategy because, without one, media exposure could hurt your company's reputation. Effective media strategies involve a mix of approaches, including media outreach and media relations. While these two functions are connected, they don't necessarily foster the same type, quality and length of company exposure."
I mean if that is an effort to dominate and manipulate public discussions through more PIO initiatives there is no way that should be #1A!
Technology Media Outreach sounds to Orwellian (1984) to me.
I have visions of residents sitting in front of LED monitors ala the famous 1984 Apple Macintosh commercial mesmerized by the municipal "doublespeak" from Morgan and Labalme.
I hope the commissioners will write about this on their blogs. Realistically, our only hope is Kelly.
I understand that there was a survey sent out to the commissioners ahead of time. They were to submit what issues were important to them. Technology/Media Outreach has to do with keeping residents up to date whether it is online, through the magazine, etc. Isn't it ironic that I have to record the meeting, communicate through this blog as to what transpired at the retreat, post the podcast on my website, while we shell out thousands of dollars to the PIO and IT? Dave Brumfield's last post on his website is "Field Failure."
Elaine
Elaine, does Marcia Taylor also work in the public safety building?
Why do you think she had to be there on the taxpayer dime?
Sorry, I was actually thinking of the other Orwell term Newspeak. Described on one website as: "Newspeak is a fictional language in George Orwell's famous novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. Orwell included an essay about it in the form of an Appendix after the end of the novel, in which the basic principles of the language are explained. Newspeak is closely based on English but has a greatly reduced and simplified vocabulary and grammar. This suited the totalitarian regime of the Party, whose aim was to make subversive thought ("thoughtcrime") and speech impossible."
Talking to two of the commissioners leads me to believe that the media outreach is reaching out to residents through interactive online commission meetings.
As in, you can sit at home and watch the meeting live and ask questions in citizen comments just like you could if you were at the meeting.
It would also include archiving the meetings on the municipal website so that the Elaine's of the world wouldn't have to attend every meeting and record it for a podcast.
The school district allows you to watch the meetings online but not live and not on-demand.
The municipality, I think, is looking to take the next step.
Not everything that comes out of government is about taking control of your lives...just most of it!
In this case it would mean a citizenry that has no excuse for not being informed.
If that is the case 8:42, then that is a good goal for 2013, but is that reall the #1 priority for the municipality?
That trumps taxes, revenue, infrastuctute, drug control or traffic management.
How about divesting $1 million of property on McNeilly that no one seems to want?
Plus, are we going to see a concerted effort by one commissioner that didn't even want to have the publicadmitted to this brainstorming session?
Thank you, 8:42 AM, for clarifying that. Yes, that is an excellent explanation. It has been described, as such, in prior meetings.
Unfortunately, the staff ultimately responsible for all that wasn't at the retreat on Tuesday. That would have been a good start.
Elaine
9:10 AM, unfortunately, this exercise pinpointed which goals had the most common ground, nothing else. If more commissioners supported Kelly's Drug Task Force plan, it could have been the number one priority, or at least made the top three. But we had Kristen say that since drugs are a problem everywhere, why focus on it here.
I think the best part of the retreat took place in the last hhalf hour. Kelly questioned why the SAB was prioritized so high since the SAB has been established. That goal has already been met. The facilitator said as of this Friday (tomorrow), they only have ten months. Amazing. One of their top three goals has already been met.
Elaine
The idea of streaming council or district meetings live over the Internet is an excellent one, and not expensive to implement. The Reason Foundation does this kind of thing from time to time, as do many other organizations. Having said that, I suspect that one of the reasons why our local governments may balk at the idea has to do with citizens' comments. While we typically see on average a handful of people commenting at commission meetings, and less than that at the school board, opening up the process to the community via the Internet would likely increase participation by at least one order of magnitude - and make the meetings last a great deal longer.
Giving residents a better shot at live participation with the commission isn't easy. A few months ago I wrote the commission, asking for one Saturday session a month in order to give Mt. Lebanon residents more access to their meetings. I received a mixed response. But at least I got replies, which is more than I can say for the school board.
On the surface the Technology Media Outreach sounds like a good idea.
If it indeed allows greater access to Council meetings and convenient stakeholder participation.
But there could be a dark-side to this initiative if it isn't watched carefully.
The PIO's first foray into TMO highlights this danger.
Mr. Feller describes that first effort: "The public information office is working on a "Lebo Life" blog that will appear as a tab on lebomag.com and will complement the magazine and its various social media. The aim of this blog, which should launch within the next month, will be to promote positive and constructive conversations about things that enhance quality of life in Mt. Lebanon. There are about 20 people who will initially post on the blog, with each posting at least twice a month in seven categories, including areas such as family fun, house and garden, travel and leisure, food and drink, etc."
Notice the key phrase... "promote POSITIVE and constructive conversations". They choose the 20 positive contributors. Not a dissenting or differing opinion on what would be positive or constructive!
We've seen this in the print public information as well. Remember the Kubit FAQ on the high school project? How's that claim that the project would like come 15 to 17% under the board's estimates - that sold the design working out?
I'm all for greater and mire convenient access to our elected officials.
Just keep in mind that it works the other direction too. They have greater access to you as well.
If you don't understand the implications of that, pick up a good book on marketing, advertising and public relations.
I would like to simply understand are the commissioners planning 2013 priorities in February? Shouldn't these conversations had started months ago?
After listening to the meeting, I was not very impressed with the methodology used by Solutions 21.
Interesting read--
Top Ten Media Manipulation Strategies
http://theinternationalcoalition.blogspot.com/2011/07/noam-chomsky-top-10-media-manipulation_08.html?m=1
What the SAB was formed 2 months ago? Was Reed on it?
Then the commissioners violated the municipal code!!!!!
Richard,
I hardly think there will be more than a handful of people who watch the meetings live online.
However, I do like the idea that the meetings will be "officially" recorded and archived in the interest of the public.
The 2014 Budget is the #2 goal and I would assume holding the line on taxes is part of that goal.
On the mtl magazine site there is a new article on possibly instituting a Pay As You Throw garbage collection system. I haven't thought much about it yet, but if they go to PAYT will they reduce the municipality budget by the amount paid out for garbage collection now?
Or will they make it a fee like the storm water charge? That way they can claim they achieved goal #2 without raising taxes but found a means to take the charges for trash collection off the municipal books and on the backs of the individual homeowners.
I'm confused, but I think I agree with Kelly here.
"I think the best part of the retreat took place in the last hhalf hour. Kelly questioned why the SAB was prioritized so high since the SAB has been established. That goal has already been met. The facilitator said as of this Friday (tomorrow), they only have ten months. Amazing. One of their top three goals has already been met."
The board already authorized the SAB on February 12, 2013. So as Kelly asked, why is this even on the list of priorities for 2013 in the retreat? Why not add the Public Safety Building to the 2013 goals? That's been built already like the SAB.
I'm beginning to agree with 10:15 this retreat is beginning to look like a joke based on the results.
What was this retreat really about?
Technology Media Outreach is the #2 goal by consensus of the five commissioners on February 26, right!
Except that in Municipal updates (2/25/13) in lebomag.com there is this article. "Meetings on your schedule".
"You will soon be able to watch regular commission meetings and discussion sessions whenever and wherever you want. Mt. Lebanon has contracted with Granicus, a San Francisco based company, to stream meetings at www.mtlebanon.org. Even better, meetings will be archived and you can watch them whenever you have time, on your home computer or on your mobile device.
Here’s where it gets even more convenient: meetings will be indexed and searchable to the agenda, so if you are particularly interested in only one part of the meeting while you're watching an archive, you can click on the agenda item and it will skip to that portion. As meetings are archived, a search function will allow viewers to search for any agenda item on a desired topic and skip right to those proceedings.
What if you have input for a meeting but you're sick, it’s too cold or you have other obligations happening at the same time? Additional technology will allow residents to be part of official proceedings even if they can't make it to the meeting. Once the agenda has been published in advance of the meeting, residents may submit citizens’ comments that will go to commissioners so they will have the input before they make decisions.
As you can see, the goal is to involve more residents while keeping more people up to date on Mt. Lebanon government. Meetings will continue to air on Comcast and Verizon as they do now.
We are still finalizing the timetable for implementation but we are working to have it operational as soon as possible. We will send lots of notice, including Lebo ALERTS and newsflashes on the websites, when it is ready for viewing."
The PIO reports they have already contracted with Granicus of San Francisco. Don't the commissioners know they've started implementing their 2nd goal or are these people just that damn fast that they can sign a contract for something the day before they establish it as a priority.
Or are the commissioners superfluous in running the municipality?
Better yet, as you can plainly see, if you had an opinion on Goal #2 that you'd like to share with your elected representative... tough sh*t - they already did it!
Well, look at that! This commission means business! Two priorities down and one more to go. At this rate, they should meet all their goals by next week.
Elaine
No that should meet all their goals by LAST month!!! LOL
I think that artificial turf is already being shipped.
From "Meetings on your schedule".
"Once the agenda has been published in advance of the meeting, residents may submit citizens’ comments that will go to commissioners so they will have the input before they make decisions."
Gee, I'd offer my opinion on the Tech Media Outreach but they already made their decisions.
Maybe they'll wait for our input on the next goal!
I'd like to offer up a suggestion and would like to hear what everyone thinks. Especially our commissioners and our PIO.
I thought the idea of the retreat where the commissioners prioritize their goals for the future was a good one. Though I'm baffled if things like the SAB and TMO are ready in the works why they would still be consider goals.
But here's where I think the commissioner fall short. They already have a media outreach, it's called lebomag.com.
The site could list the commissioners' top three priorities (or 4 because of the tie) and ask their constituents to vote on which one they consider the highest priority. Or ask residents to rank all three.
This would be a true outreach and the magazine is doing polls already so the technology is already in place.
What would really be neat but I'm not sure the current software is capable of doing it is the residents rank the 9 commission goals in order of priority. That would be an outreach in my opinion and provide 'hits' for MTL magazine.
No goal for swimming pool improvement
No goal for a Washington School Crosswalk
No goal for a turfed field
It looks like the commissioners paid for a consultant to help them set their commission goals, then three of them traded votes and foiled the process. I wonder how much they paid him?
Adding insult to injury, the Recreation Director pushed a second swimming pool project after we spent an additional $2,000,000 on the high school pool for two extra lanes, and the Municipal Manager suggested using the bond-issue credit card again even though we have illegitimate excess taxes piled up for next year.
No wonder we have trouble selling a $400,000 house in Kristen's ward!
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