Here is an exchange that showed up in my mailbox. Please read what Commissioner Bendel has to say to one of his constituents.
On May 12, 2014, at 6:17 AM, XXXXXXXXX wrote:
Mr. Bendel,
I've learned of the plan to remove natural grass and install artificial turf on the fields on Cedar Blvd. I think this is ill advised, especially when there are so many miles of our roads that are barely passable. There are substantial health and environmental issues, and the plan has the appearance of being rushed through without community discussion.
This is a substantial, permanent financial burden to put on our static, if not declining, tax base. I urge you to oppose this idea.
From: John Bendel <
jbendel@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Mon, May 12, 2014 9:10 am
Subject: Re: artificial turf
Thank you for contacting me about the turf project.
The turf project approved for Middle/Wildcat field (MWC) field in Mt. Lebanon is the culmination of many years of discussion, analysis and research to address the shortage of field space. Addressing the shortage of fields has been a long-standing priority for our community, and over the last decade there have been multiple attempts to expand the number fields and/or increase the use (the number of games/practices) on existing fields. However, until the MWC project, no significant enhancements have been implemented to address this priority.
Most fields in Mt. Lebanon are diamond-based, which are designed primarily for baseball and softball. Over the last decade or so, the popularity of the sports using rectangular-based fields such as lacrosse, soccer and field hockey has increased significantly. Therefore, the focus of field enhancements has been to expand the number of rectangular-based fields.
Information on the approved turf project - description, concept plan and a variety of presentations, can be found on the Municipal website at:
http://mtlebanon.org/index.aspx?NID=2199
I support the project because it:
- Increases field slots available by 60%; turf will withstand continuous use
- Benefits many residents - there were 3,600 total registrations in field-based youth sports programs in 2013, plus many more residents involved on School District sports teams
- Is supported by all field sports associations
- Includes non-municipal contributions of $250,000 toward the $1 million initial capital cost, and requires a use fee that will pay for a portion of the field replacement cost
- Involves a partnership with the School District whereby the District will maintain the field (reducing maintenance cost to the Municipality by almost $14,000 annually compared to the current maintenance cost. The estimated annual maintenance cost for the School District is $7,000, a net saving to the tax payers of $7,000 per year); and in return the District’s sports teams will have use of the field
- Leverages existing access, parking, restrooms, concessions and lights at MWC
With respect the health and safety issues relative to a new turf field, Mt. Lebanon is able to draw upon about 40 years of direct experience. Turf was first installed in Mt. Lebanon in the 1970s. In fact, over that period, we have the experience of a variety of different and improved turf products as they have evolved over the years. Therefore, as the Municipality has evaluated turf generally, as well as the specific turf products currently under consideration for Middle and Wildcat, we have relied upon the following criteria: (1) specific experiences in Mt. Lebanon, (2) independent testing under conditions that are similar to those present in Mt. Lebanon, (3) information provided by governmental agencies (Department of Environmental Protection, etc.), and (4) other information that is widely accepted as independent and credible.
Field enhancements and this project have been discussed in public meetings, included in long-range and short-range plans for many years. I have prepared the follow summary to put the long history of this project in perspective.
My historical knowledge doesn't go back as far as others, but I know that the land purchases at McNeilly and Twin Hills were intended, at least in part, to expand our athletic fields. For a variety of reasons, primarily cost related, the fields were never developed at these locations.
The Municipality's priority for field enhancements is well documented. The Municipality's annual Capital Improvements Plan (CIP), which is our five-year plan for identifying priority projects, has included field development for many years. In fact, the turf project has been included in the last six CIPs beginning in 2009. The CIP is recommended annually by the Planning Board and approved by the Commission, and is discussed at several meetings each year at the Planning Board and Commission. All of these meetings are open to the public and the Commission meetings are video recorded.
In addition, the recently adopted 2013 Comprehensive Plan (Plan), which is our community's planning and development guide for the next 10 years, specifically includes the turf project as a priority. The Plan development included significant opportunity for resident and stakeholder participation. A core planning team made up of a cross-section of representatives of boards and authorities led the process, and a variety of sub-teams focused on specific issues. The opportunity for public input was provided multiple times via a variety of means throughout the 18 month long planning process. The Plan was recommended by the Planning Board and approved by the Commission in 2013.
More recently, in 2012-14, the Commission established recreation and field improvements as a high priority during its annual goal setting retreats. As a result, the Commission has made significant capital investments in recreation facilities in recent years - pool improvements, tennis center (lighting at two courts, concrete stairs and sidewalks and renovations at the tennis center building), several neighborhood park projects, upgrades to the recreation center and ice rink and new equipment (lawn mower at golf course and electric Zamboni). Additional recreation enhancements at Robb Hollow and Northmeadowcroft Park are in the planning phase. Despite this cumulative multi-million dollar investment in recreation, the Municipality has done little to address the long-standing priority for field enhancements.
Since 2012, several field enhancement alternatives have been evaluated by the Commission. The assessment of field options was completed parallel with the development of the Comprehensive Plan as was the case for several other community priorities. If fact, several goals in the Plan are already complete and many more are in the development and planning stages. The Commission began addressing the lack of field space by assessing the opportunities to increase use of its existing fields. Options such as resting fields to improve conditions and better drainage were considered. The Commission did invest in better drainage at Bird field in 2012. With the high demand for field space, the ability to rest fields was not considered a viable option.
The Commission next looked at creating new field space, which is difficult in a highly developed community like Mt. Lebanon. On March 13, 2012, with the assistance of Gateway Engineering, at a discussion session, the Commission reviewed the alternatives listed below. Gateway's presentation can be found at
http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/2660
- McNeilly - $3-4 million, multi-field development
- Robb Hollow - Three fields, one on the upper section and two near the Public Works area along Cedar
- Twin Hills - one field
- Brafferton - drainage improvements and conversion from a diamond-based baseball field to rectangle field
- Turfing of MWC and Mellon
The field enhancement alternatives presented in March 2012, were the subject of discussion at various times throughout 2012 and 2013. The projects at McNeilly and Twin Hills were not supported by the Commission and were not pursued. The McNeilly project was not considered viable for several reasons, including the $3-4 million cost and the distance from most areas of the Municipality. The proposed field at Twin Hills was not considered due to its relatively small size, access issues and other development constraints.
The Municipality continued its evaluation of the Robb Hollow, Brafferton and turf options.
Robb Hollow - after additional discussion, the upper field at Robb Hollow was considered the best option at that location. The project in the upper section of Robb Hollow included a full-sized field and unlike the proposed fields along Cedar, it did not encroach on the area used by Public Works. This project was discussed multiple times in 2012, including October 9 and 22. The Municipality completed additional engineering work on the proposed upper field. In late-2012 the Commission decided not to pursue the upper field development due to the rising cost estimate of at least $1.3 million, which included field development, access, parking and transfer of leaf processing to a new location. It was estimated that the transfer of the leaf processing would add approximately $30,000 annually to annual operating expenses. The project would have resulted in the loss of nearly 7 acres of trees, created steep slopes due to excavation and was to be built in close proximity to homes in an adjoining neighborhood.
Brafferton - the Commission approved $197,400 for improvements to Brafferton in 2012. The proposal was to make drainage improvements, remove the baseball diamond and convert the surface to a rectangular field. The Commission reviewed this project multiple times during discussion sessions in 2012 and 2013. The project recognized the need to add an access road and parking to accommodate this new configuration. The access road and parking were estimated to cost an additional $133,000. The newly formed Sports Advisory Board (SAB) and the Commission supported this project. On September 17, 2013 the Brafferton bidding process resulted in one bidder submitting a bid of $845,000 for a large field plus parking and access road (alternate 2A). The Commission rejected this bid due to the high cost and has not pursued this project since that time.
Turf - as noted above, the turf project has been in the Municipality's CIP every year since 2009. The engineer's opinion of probable cost has roughly been around $1 million for the turfing of either Mellon or MWC. The sports community has supported a turf project for many years. On June 25, 2012, the Youth Sports Alliance (YSA), which at the time represented all field based sports in Mt. Lebanon, presented a proposal to turf and add lighting to MWC at a public meeting. On July 10, 2012 the Commission had a follow-up discussion on the YSA proposal. On July 23, 2012 a presentation opposing the turf project was made to the Commission.
A series of Commission discussion sessions on August 27, September 11, September 24, 2012, included the use of the Municipality’s unassigned fund balance for capital projects. Field enhancements were part of these discussions.
On November 26, 2012, the Commission unanimously voted to form the SAB (refer to the purpose statement below). The creation of the SAB provided an opportunity to have a board focused on enhancing the recreational facilities and services in Mt. Lebanon. Boards and authorities exist 1) To discuss/assess specific issues in greater detail than is possible at Commission meetings, and 2) To make recommendations to the Commission on issues important to the community. The SAB's members were appointed by the Commission in early 2013.
Since its first meeting in March 2013 through April 2014, the SAB has discussed field improvements at seven meetings, in particular the Brafferton and turf projects. On June 6, 2013, the SAB voted to recommend a turf project to the Commission as its highest priority. At the SAB's October 3 and November 7, 2013 meetings the SAB voted to recommend the MWC turf project for the Commission's approval. The SAB's recommendations to support the turf project were presented to the Commission on June 24, November 12 and November 25, 2013. All of the SAB meetings are open to the public and are video recorded.
SAB's Purpose
- Review and assess all sports-related facilities and services in Mt. Lebanon.
- Recommend possible changes and improvements to sports-related facilities and services.
- Assist in the continued safe provision of athletic opportunities to Mt. Lebanon residents.
- Receive and consider public comment and other public input regarding sports facilities and services.
- Support, promote and/or provide programs and services to assist athletes and coaches in Mt. Lebanon.
From June 24, 2013 through April 28, 2014 the Commission has had the turf project on its discussion session agenda seven times either as a stand alone item or as part of SAB presentations. On November 25, 2013, the Commission approved the MWC turf project and Municipality's $750,000 financial commitment. As part of the motion, the Commission formed a turf task force and provided specific direction for them to flesh out the details of the project, including design, engineering and non-municipal share fund raising. The turf project concept has been presented to the Planning Board on April 22, 2014 and to property owners near MWC on April 24, 2014.
In conclusion, the turf project has been discussion in public meetings numerous times over the last two years, and it has been part of the municipality's plans for field enhancements for the last six years.
Thank you for contacting me with your opinion regarding this project. I appreciate your concerns. While we view the project differently, I hope this information is useful.
Sent from my iPhone
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