I have uploaded the podcast to tonight's meeting. David Huston called to let me know that a change order was slid in tonight and was a new agenda item. It did not appear on today's agenda. The agenda item was Change Order #GC63-131 to Nello Construction - Winterization for $150,000.
Please go to the 20:26 mark on the Lebo Citizens podcast and listen to Mr. Huston ask Elaine Cappucci about the new agenda item. Elaine explained that last month's winterization change order for $75,000, of which Dan Remely went ballistic over, was their first good faith offer to Nello Construction. Since then (somewhere between last Friday and today since the agenda did not show this), they negotiated another $150,000 for a total of $225,000.
Resident Bruce Slater was also upset about this latest move by the school board. Last week, only four change orders were discussed and this was not one of them.
Read more in the Trib Mt. Lebanon School Board OKs work for high school renovation project
42 comments:
I wonder if Susan Morgans knew that the $150,000 change order was coming?
I am guessing Dan "reluctantly" voted for it again?
Amateurs.
The Board approved a merit pay increase last night for several employees who review change orders - another several thousands of dollars spent from a bare bones budget.
Last night the board approved over $ 300,000 in change orders bringing the total amount committed to approximately one third of the $4,200,000 contingency fund.
The public no longer trusts the Board Members because they are too secretive and Other Peoples' Money is to easily spent.
Did anyone say to Nello the following:
Nello, you are charging us $225,000 for winterization efforts during the construction of the high school buildings. When you estimated your costs during the bid phase, did you not read that the schedule was going to be at least four years in length? If you did read the schedule, did you forget that there is a season called "winter" here in Pennsylvania where the weather gets cold, snowy, and wet for 3-5 months a year?
Otherwise, this is just a money grab by a contractor who purposely underbid the project.
I wonder if this change order was voted down what would happen. Sure seems to me that having a Owner's Rep would be a good thing for the Board.
With our next order, can we get a little more muster and hold the mustard?
And the beat goes on. The Board, administration and union are having a field day - such an easy game with no checks and balances.
With these two actions, the change order and the merit bonus , the board just gave the community a message, it starts with F and ends with U.
They know constituents are too lazy and powerlesst to do anything to them. They did it on Sablegate, they did it on the HS project, these new merits bonuses and they'll do it with turf.
You deserve the representation you vote for or are to lazy to go to the polls and vote against.
Just think we'entails sent two new people - a state senator and state representative - to Harrisburg whose agenda is to find even more money For the district.
And where do you think the money for more merit pay and change orders will come from... Can you say tax increases and fees.
9:29 AM, Timmy shared with us that the winterization was double that amount. Cappucci said that they negotiated the $225,000. I wonder what the board is getting in terms construction merit supplements. Certainly, Timmy will be getting a bonus for all his tours and excellent camera work.
Elaine
Negotiated winterization change orders on a four year project that is at least a season behind schedule.
Can Cappucci reall say that with a straight face?
Watch Mrs. Capucci continually scratch her nose when ending her renovation report. Body language experts describe nose scratching as the basis of the Pinnochio story. It is a common signal from a person who is not telling the truth.
When a person lies, blood vessels in their nose may dilate, making the nose swell or appear redder. The nasal engorgement then causes mast cells to release histamine, which makes the nose itch and so may lead to the person touching or scratching it.
For those of you keeping score, the new total for change orders (barring any "surprise" corrections) through 15 June 2013 is $1,600,246.65. The District will show $1,600,246.57, and the reason for the eight cents "error" is that the District started rounding to the nearest dollar on their official reported costs starting on Elaine's lines 20, 21, and 22, even though the announced amounts included some cents on each of those entries. Prior to this the District reported exact amounts (see Elaine's line 2). From these points onward the announced amounts and the reported amounts are both rounded.
The percentage of the contingency fund ($4,276,000.00) spent to date is 37.4%, which is more than 1/3 of the fund.
If what Richard says is true it appears that at this rate the contingency funds are going to run out.
Mr. Steinhauer goes into a lengthy explanation of the $150,000 winterization change order. If excuses the change order by explaining that there were unforeseen soil conditions.
This is curious since we had not one, but two soil surveys on the area he is referring too.
The first survey goes back to the muni/district natatorium. That survey recommended not building a pool on that site suggesting it would be prohibitively expensive.
When Celli designed the athletic wing, a second survey was undertaken which I heard echoed the first survey, but they continued testing until they could justify building on the site.
Remember also we also bought tons of fill to replace the excessive moist dirt. We also bought thousands of dollars worth of geofoam to shore up the area.
The district was told long ago not to build where they did, we keep paying more and more off bid and will probably in a few years pay for even more repairs.
It is hard to believe how the community reacted to a $500,000 buy-out for Sable and today were speaking about contingency funds (yes, contingency funds )of $4,270,000!
Mt Lebanon reminds me of a community like the Titanic - we have ice the water dead ahead and the PIO is berating the crew while shouting, "FASTER-FASTER-FASTER!"
Thank you, Richard. I updated the running total.
The school board meeting is still airing. Elaine Cappucci stated that they hired PJ Dick to keep watch on the project. If we hired PJ Dick to do that, why are we paying $5000 in bonuses to five employees?
About body language, I had significant training in reading body language during my career in sales. I watched Timmy fold his arms and put his finger up to his lips when Paula was speaking about transparency and lack of trust. Google what that means!
Elaine
11:21 you are so right. Something is amiss most certainly.
Just a few weeks the board was talking about how the budget had been cut to the bone, that any further financial issues would not be resolved by cutting fat. They said further expenditures would be cutting into the meat- the prime directive- educating our children.
So what do we wake up to this morning... Merit bonuses. How does one hand out bonuses in a bare bones budget? A budget that indicated teachers could be cut, more students in classrooms, closing a school, fewer programs, fewer sports and higher and more participation fees.
Then add the Unexpected higher insurance bill.
Now we've more money to burn.
Is this diatrict schizophrenic?
One minute it's in dire financial straights, the next approving $150,000 change orders and handing out bonuses.
Can we believe anything these people say?
Which finger did Timmy put up to his lips?
Sorry, but I think it was his index finger.
This was sent to me today and too funny not to share.
"A superintendent was crossing a construction site one day, when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent over, picked up the frog, and put it in his pocket. The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn back into a beautiful princess and stay with you for one week." The superintendent took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket. The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want." Again, the superintendent took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket. Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess and that I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?" The superintendent said, "Look, I'm a superintendent, I'm surrounded by princesses that think they are more beautiful, more intelligent and better dressed than anyone. I don't have time for another prima donna, but a talking frog - now that's cool."
Elaine
As of 7:18 PM, there is no amended agenda showing the $150,000 change order that popped up last night unannounced. I watched Dan Remely and Elaine Cappucci, once again, state on TV that the winterization change order of $75,000 was just the first good faith offer. The Almanac tells it a different way. http://www.thealmanac.net/article/20130516/NEWS/130519985#.UcDpiMu9KSM
I don't see ANYWHERE that the $75,000 change order was just part one or a "good faith offer."
Elaine
Last night, Resident Paula Bongiorno spoke at the end of the meeting during Citizens Comments. If anyone would be willing to transcribe her comments for the blog, that would be wonderful. It should be shared with the public.
The crux of her comments was that there is no communication. Elaine Cappucci disagreed. Not publicizing the $150,000 winterization is a perfect example, Elaine.
Elaine
Thanks goes to the person who edited the Bongiorno-Cappucci exchange.
Click on the link to download the mp3 file.
Elaine
The Almanac article stated "Any discussions regarding who is responsible are reserved for executive session as items for pending litigation".
Transparency at its finest. What an absolute farce!
Whew! . . . Cappucci . . . Rude!
Sounds like a lot of money for construction workers having to wear coats during their shift over the winter.
11:20 people to lazy to vote or pay attention empower them.
We had a school board candidate speak honestly about state funding and voters didn't come out and support him.
We get the leadership we deserve.
Doest our fair president paint her executive session privileges with too broad a brush, now and at with great regularity? Cappucci concluded, “in terms of changes made to the design during the project: work is done, the change orders come to us, we pay for the work. Any discussions regarding who is responsible are reserved for executive session as items for pending litigation.” (The Almanac)
An agency may hold an executive session for one or more of the following reasons: ... (4) To consult with its attorney or other professional advisor regarding information or strategy in connection with litigation or with issues on which identifiable complaints are expected to be filed. (Open Meetings Law)
Is a compliant expected to be filed? Not likely at this point. And the law says expected, not might be, at some future date, if things don't go so well, and we are really mad.
Also: "A significant court decision clarified requirements of this portion of the Sunshine Act when it ruled the reason for holding an executive session must be specific. A city council had announced an executive session to discuss matters of litigation. A newspaper objected to the closed meeting because the litigation matters were not announced with specificity. The trial court ruled the council must spell out in connection with existing litigation the names of the parties, the docket number and the court in which it is filed. Regarding identifiable complaints or threatened litigation, the court ordered council to state the general nature of the complaint, but not the identity of the complainant. The position of the trial court was upheld on appeal. The appellate court stated even though it is in the public interest that certain matters be discussed in private, the public has a right to know what matter is being addressed in private sessions. The reason stated by the agency must be specific, indicating a real, discrete matter that is best addressed in private. (Open Meetings, The Sunshine Act, Governor’s Center for Local Government Services)
Me thinks Mrs. Capucci doest cloak the board in executive session whimsically and without legitimate reason. But what is a peasant to do?
We peasants are powerless. I can write about this stuff all day long. Residents like Paula (Paula, the one who has been going to meetings since the 90's and has been extremely respectful all these years!) can go to the podium and be told that they are not being shot down totally. When I went to the Budget Forum on April 2, I was there early and watched the school board directors arrive but not show up as a group in the JMS Library until right before the meeting. Did Lady Elaine Fairchild announce that they met in executive session? No. Listen to the podcast.
Beware. When I had written to the board with my long list of questions, Elaine invited me to the meeting for answers. I made the mistake of going for the bait. Elaine Cappucci, Mary Birks, and Josephine Posti seized the moment and got their jollies putting down Bill Matthews and me.
Elaine
And yes, the contingency funds are going to run out. When you go with Nello, who was $8 million cheaper than the next lowest bidder, you are going to get half million dollar change orders, Elaine and Dan.
Elaine
More mustard for the little people.
Thanks to whomever posted the sound clip of Pooch smacking off the public again. When I clicked on it it automatically loaded to iTunes so now i can listen to her ruddiness any time. I think I will wait for my solicitation from PK and send it back to Elliot. Good thing Elliott gets his money up front. . .
Mrs. Cappucci has the gall to tell Paula that "all she has to do is ask." You can ask, all right, but "askin' ain't gettin'."
I'm still curious-- how were they going to run the scoreboard and time clocks without this change order? Apparently the answer lies somewhere in the minutes of a super secret executive sessions.
h. EL-31-110 to Farfield for $23,395 to add low voltage wire to all scoreboard equipment and to add power to three time clocks and four pace clocks in Athletic Building
Was it originally to be a hand operated scoreboard reminescent of the long-gone Forbes Field scoreboard?
Or were they going to have trained monkeys hand-cranking little generators to power them up?
Hey, it'd be green and they'd work for peanuts.
2:47 as far as I'm concerned if they have enough money to hand out merit rewards to people for doing the work that falls under their job descriptions, they don't need any donation to the PK effort from me.
Especially since they just got done telling us they cut the expenditures to the bone and the next cuts would affect programs and class sizes.
4:19, Frogs
Mrs. Cappucci was quite adamant that "everything about the budget is on-line," and that "..if there's something that's not there you can request it...there are pages and pages and volumes on the budget..".
There may indeed be a lot of information about the budget on the District's website - and she's right when she says it is more cost effective to post such information on-line that print and mail it; but one thing that is lacking is information about the renovation project.
Yes, I know there are a lot of nifty photos and a bunch of feel-good stuff; but I can't find any financial information, such as a running tally of change orders, money spent to date, contract information, etc. If that stuff is there would someone please post the URL to it - I find the District's website cluttered and not user friendly. Frankly, if it's there I'll be surprised, seeing as how the HS Project Document Page has the following disclaimer:
"All contracts pertaining to the High School Renovation Project are available on request from the Superintendent's Office at 7 Horsman Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. For more information, call 412.344. 2077."
Bottom line: the District puts relatively innocuous information on the website, but makes other, more "sensitive" information that a resident is entitled to see much more difficult to obtain.
The Minutes of the Board meetings do not contain the final signed Contracts for anything. What is in the minutes I have seen are the Contracts that have blanks that are to be filled in by the Superintendent and the Solicitor "in substantially the form presented."
Does anyone (even a board member) really know what is going on in our District besides Tim and Tom?
Many would offer that there is One individual who knows more than Tim and Tom and is more influential in determining District affairs.
You are right 8:33, and Tim and Tom both lose there jobs if an Algebra ll teacher doesn't give them a "S" rating. THAT'S BACKWARDS.
The Amanac writes that one of the causes for the winterization fees were unforeseen soil conditions. If they were a real newspaper they'd ask to see the results of the first soil test don on the site from the failed joint natatorium project, before buying the district's BS.
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