Keep in mind, Gateway's Dan Deiseroth claimed that the fields on Cedar Blvd. never flood.
It turns out that Gateway Engineering is charging Mt. Lebanon $1,000 per Turf Project Task Force meeting. There have been seven meetings, and we have been billed $7,000.
The following is the May 2, 2014 memo that Dan Deiseroth sent to Steve Feller concerning the Turf Project Fees expended.
Something that has been overlooked for several meetings now, is the Turf Project Task Force Financial Report. John Bendel had promised to share that information a month ago. It still hasn't happened. Kelly Fraasch was kind enough to share this "report" with me this morning.
From: Kelly Fraasch <kfraasch@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>; Stephen Feller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: Re: SAB financial report
Date: Wed, May 14, 2014 10:12 am
This is what I got via email last night.
See below.
FYI, I did ask for a further breakdown and hope to get it soon.
K
Committed by Sports Associations $124,500
(this is an increase of $26,500 from the last update and reflects additional funds from lacrosse, baseball and football)
Paid into Endowment as of 5/13/14 $65,389
Checks received by Mt. Lebo Lacrosse to be provided to Endowment $26,500
Other sources (Parents Athletic Council, corporate donations, etc) $17,250
Total to date $233,639
On Wed, May 14, 2014 at 9:16 AM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org> wrote:A resident told me last night that the sports associations are emptying their piggy banks to fund this project without giving notice to parents. Also, please note that there is no mention of the "largest donation made by Soccer," according to Dave Franklin. Also, I am confused as to what is the cash in hand balance.
Commissioners,
Where was the financial report from the SAB? They still haven't given us the break down as to cash in hand and pledges to date. John Bendel assured me that it would be given in the next meeting. That was two meetings ago.
Elaine Gillen
Why is everything such a secret? Why weren't the financial reports given at the commission meetings? Why are residents being asked to leave the Turf Project Task Force? Why did Dave Brumfield freak out at the commission discussion session when Kelly Fraasch brought up the topic of residents attending the Turf Project Task Force meetings? Why is it being left up to John Bendel to decide? Why are there so many unanswered questions concerning this turf project?
I have asked the commission for a draft of the bid that is going out tomorrow, May 15. Kelly Fraasch copied me when she asked for a copy of the draft. So far, nothing.
I understand that there is a process in which taxpayers can pay their taxes in protest, with a portion of the funds going into an escrow account. This pertains to assessments. All you Mt. Lebanon attorneys who are not involved with the Sports Advisory Board, would you check to see if we can do the same with this turf project? I am not seeing overwhelming support. Residents are against it for financial reasons, environmental reasons, health and safety of our young athletes, as well as the arrogance, misrepresentation and lack of respect from our elected officials who are being dishonest every step of the way.
 |
| 4:30 on a Wednesday afternoon in May w/ near perfect weather and... All fields are empty. |
*February 6, 2014 SAB meeting minutes are the latest posted minutes on the municipal website.
Update May 14, 2014 11:43 PM I asked again for a draft of the bid that is going out tomorrow. Clarification on the specifics of the bid package It turns out that the 15th deadline was for JT Sauer to submit the plans to Gateway to coordinate and check and incorporate with other bid documents.
Update May 15, 2014 10:58 PM Mt. Lebanon residents criticize 'newcomers tax,' turf project for fields
Update May 15, 2014 11:24 PM See page 13 of John Bendel's Field Enhancement presentation listed in this post, New street signs in Mt. Lebanon, Gateway Engineers' Opinion of Cost for Contingency/Soft Costs is listed as $89,070. Yet, Gateway's costs shown above are estimated at $100,997 and growing.
Update May 16, 2014 8:06 PM After an entire day of rain yesterday, it's Play Ball at Middle Field tonight.
 |
| Middle Field 05.16.14 at 6:00 PM |
50 comments:
Which of these turf task force assignments as described in the SAB minutes was assigned to Gateway?
Create a strategy for field use & fee structure to cover the annual field use fee ($12,000).
Develop a strategy for funding the initial non-municipal share ($250,000).
Draft a maintenance agreement with the school district.
Develop a list of turf vendors, including those offering organic infill.
Create an RFP schedule with construction targeted to begin by August 1, 2014.
Present recommendations to the Sports Advisory Board (SAB) and Commission by February
11, 2014.
So, let's see, they charged us $7,000 for meetings but "donated" $4,000. And how big is their total contract? Are they contributing to support the project on which they have been hired? Something seems circular and irregular here.
I don't get it; were they hired by Mt. Lebanon to do some work and present that work at these meetings, or were they attending to present their ideas and information prior to a decision being made to hire them? If it's the former then they have a right to expect payment; if it's the latter, then all I can say is that you folks up here are a breed apart! I wonder - does your school district get charged each time there is a construction update?
Gateway: We continue to address additional issues as requested by the Commission which extend beyond the normal preparation of plans and specifications. That work is adding to the professional fees and is being tracked separately.
Where is that work being tracked?
NOTE THIS : THE TURF GANG HAS SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT "WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TURFING WILDCAT AND MIDDLE FIELDS FOR YEARS"; AND, IF THAT IS TRUE THEN GATEWAY HAS BEEN TOTALLY INVOLVED AS WELL WITH ENGINEERING, DESIGN AND COST ESTIMATING OF THE MANY VERSIONS CONSIDERED, PROPOSED BY RECREATION BUT NEVER APPROVED.
TO ACCURATELY REFLECT THE TRUE "SOFT COSTS" OF GATEWAY IN THIS SCHEME, YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE ALL OF GATEWAYS INVOICES FOR TURF-RELATED SERVICES FOR AT LEAST THE PAST FOUR YEARS ! IT AIN'T JUST THE $1,000 PER MONTH OR THE $7,000 REFERRED TO SPORTSFANS !! GET OUT YOUR CALCULATORS.
To 4:04, in response to your question asking where thst worked is being tracked... It is highly doubtful there is much municipal tracking of anything in this municipality.
How many years were parking fines 'lost?'
Who is tracking rec office employees time being spent sending out solicitations for sports 'groups' private contributions for turf.
Who tracks if the SAB liason from Parks Advisory Board is actually respresenting parks or their personal turf agenda?
Who is tracking that residents told they could attend the super secret turf planning meeting were turned away?
Who is tracking the - big laugh - field sign revenue is ALL going to field maintenance and enhancements... as advertised?
To 3:58, as to the school district, if you look back to the formation of the CAC committittee, Celli and crew initially wanted an additional $250,000 to work with them.
Fraasch deserves a huge thank you from residents for being open, honest and transparent. Traits completely lacking in the rest of the commissioners, municipal officials and SAB members.
Elaine Gillen deserves some sort of press award, Golden Quill perhaps?
She's doing the investigative work and writing that our big city newspapers don't seem to have the passion for any more, and she's doing it for free!
Now that truly is A FREE PRESS. Isn't it funny that certain elected officials and others did their darndest to try and shut her up.
Notice that the person that wanted photos of the holes and divots has disappeared now that its been suggested that they may actually show just how badly our sports fields are maintained and cared for.
Wow! Not perfect at all!!! You can see the different color in the infield and it is soaked. If you walked on it, you would have likely sunk in and slipped. If you play on an infield that is soft, the field will be ruined. and presents safety hazards. And to act like an empty field at 4:30 is a crime is just ridiculous. Games begin at 6:00, but I suspect you already know that.
In regards to the comment about signage revenue, just curious--if the baseball/softball people are selling the signs, why shouldn't the revenue go to the fields? Are you in favor of hiring a muni employee to sell the signs?
Thanks, 5:24 PM. That will never happen, considering Susan Morgans is on the panel that judges the entries submitted for the Golden Quill Awards.
Elaine
5:41 I never said that the baseball/sports people couldn't sell field signs.
In my opinion they are welcome to if we must absolutely have signs.
I'd even OK a commission for each sign sold-- which the baseball/sports people could keep or heaven forbide- donate to whatever municipal fundraiser they chose. All other revenue goes directly into an account solely designated to field maintenance and upgrades and be counted as 'publicmoney."
I also suggested that the commissioners never put out bids to sell or lease municipal real estate. Lets say my above sign handling above was instituted. If the sports people demanded a 20% finders commissioners and some marketing firm said they'd handle field sign sales for 7.5% which should the commission go with... the lowest responsible bidder by code.
Why can't the Rec. Dept. sell the signs? They "sell" the field use and park pavillion permits. Field sign sales are going to overwhelm the department... I don't think so!
I believe my suggestion for handling the field sign sales earlier is the best way - with proper audits - to keep the sales out in the open and know exactly where the money is going.
Its a far cry more accurate than the current sales pitch "that the money is going directly to field maintenance and enhancements."
Passing thru community endowments is NOT direct.
I think that ship has already sailed, 5:41 PM. Did you not see the ad from the municipal website for signage?
Did you miss the mtl magazine article with this message? How about the 8,000 emails sent out by the Recreation Department's Sandy Kyper? Or how Gateway's Dan Deiseroth was working with the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment? Were we billed for that too?
Elaine
Yep, 5:41 lets hire ONE more public employee - say at $85,000/year - to sell one sign. Wouldn't want to overtax (pun intended) any muni employees currently employed.
They're too busy sending out donation solicitations to sports parents, I read.
5:41, these little wannabe professional athletes can't go down and play baseball, softball, soccer or lacrosse before 6:00 pm?
Mommy and daddy must be present for them to learn how to organize their own games, schedule their time and interact socially and competitively with their peers?
Maybe that relates to the problems we have with bullying. The kids don't know how to act, play and compete with out babysitters, but that is a topic for another day.
6:23 join the real world of working parents and daycare/after school care. You are so out of touch.
I can't believe Gateway is charging us $5000 for McNitt and a toxicologist to speak. There was an educational forum on April 30 but Dave Brumfield wouldn't listen to what they had to say because these experts just happened to be Mt. Lebanon residents and that they were BIASED. Dan Deiseroth lives in Virginia Manor and is the municipal engineer who is also involved with fundraising for the non-municipal share and has even donated toward the non-municipal share. Wouldn't he be biased? Don't you just love the BS from DB?
Elaine
7:06, really?
You know I'm out of touch and didn't deal with both parents working and daycare, you are so omnipotent!
No one one is suggesting 6,7,8 year old walking themselves down to the neighborhood ballfield and play a pick up game!
But, are you telling me our 14, 15, 16 year olds need their hands held, noses wiped and mommy and daddy to get home so they can play sports?
We can't trust those kids on the cusp of going off to college alone, to make proper choices-- they must by all means be watched 24/7! Maybe we need to reevaluate our priorities. May be one parent needs to stay home, be at the house FOR THE KIDS and giveup the BMW, spending millions on artificial turf and buying bridges so these young adults can get across busy Horsman Drive w/o mommy and daddy!
Yes Elaine, I did see the ad thanks to your blog.
Thank you for acknowledging the ad. Our tax dollars paid for it. Of course, you see nothing wrong with that. Our tax dollars are paying many municipal staffers to promote your toxic turf project. Also, our excessive taxation is being used to bankroll the toxic turf project. The remaining funds are being stolen from the kids' fees and efforts going door to door peddling raffle tickets for you. Shame on you.
Elaine
Hun?
The person that wrote they saw the ad on your blog is against the whole field sign issue and has been from the getgo.I don't think we need them, any business buying a Brafferton field sign for $450 needs to have a serious talk with their marketing dept.
The ad is a blatant lie, but apparently no one associated with municipal affairs has any undrrstanding of what constituets a lie in my opinion.
As far as the sports cabal handling sign sales, don't they have greedy little fingers in enough stuff in the community already... tax dollars, grant money, fundraisers, fees, and now sign sales?
Why don't we change the name of the municipality from Mt. Lebanon to SAB Sports Towne?
About the ad appearing on the district website, I do have a problem with that-- it Is one more reason why the sign revenue should be counted as public money.
Unless the sports groups want to pay for the ad appearing for their solicitation of private donations!
The ad says the sign revenue is earmarked for field maintenance and enhancements!
How many fields are there in Lebo?
Wonder if the commissioners will offer an accounting of how much field sign revenue is going to Brafferton, Bird or Robb Hollow fields. How about paying off the debt on McNeilly?
Yes, I could ask them, but we already know the answer... none.
If they say otherwise, ask for proof.
Recently searching for info on the NPDES permit that Gateway has to acquire, I found that people I know live about .3 miles from a place in Aspinwall that is the site of a toxic waste investigation/clean-up. The site is practically next to a recreational park that just was given a 1 million dollar piece of outdoor art.
If people don't push back on the polluters, they win and innocent people are impacted. Please continue to tell Mt Lebanon that you don't want your park to become a crumb rubber dump site.
Thank you.
8:59
My family renamed Mt Lebanon... to Mt LIEbanon.
ddeiseroth@gatewayengineers.com
jjesso@gatewayengineers.com
WELestitian@rothmangordon.com
romer@gatewayengineers.com
mzavoina@gatewayengineers.com
Folks, these are the Board of Directors of Gateway Engineers email addresses. Billing the Municipality at the same time they are contributing to a fundraising effort which will in turn bring billable hours into their firm suggests that they may be conflicted. As fiduciaries of the firm, they should be asked politely to rescind their generous contribution to our community effort and maintain their appearance of neutrality and begin to act like a supplier to the municipality, not a partner, especially when they look to benefit from this effort.
I've already sent my views to them. Gateway's board has to listen or risk their own reputations for condoning such disingenuous practices.
Well one thing for sure lets look for a candidate(s) in the next election that will work to drop Gateway as MTL Engineer.
Their relationship has gotten way too cozy IMO.
11:32 #1 question to a Commissioner candidate should be- will you consider removing top level staff?
Regarding the signs, I was not suggesting we hire someone. I was trying to clarify what the issue some posters were having. It seems like you want the sports folks to do the legwork to sell the signs, but then you don't want the money to go to the fields. If I am incorrect on your position, I apologize in advance.
In reference to 14 -16 year olds not walking themselves to the fields--you do realize that number 1, Middle field is a a little league field for ages up to 12. Also, the older kids play for school teams that often play right afterschool. Those who have a 6pm game (of any age) are likely at home doing homework at 4:30 so they can make their game. There are plenty of times kids are all over those fields. But the photo shown clearly demonstrates how bad the field is drainage wise. You can even see the puddles.
No one is stealing money. That is just ridiculous and frankly, it is a serious charge to make. And tax dollars go to pay for LOTS of things. If I don't use certain facilities, should I not have to pay taxes for those? That is the part you are missing. Everyone pays for things via taxes that they may not necessarily use or want. It is called living in a community.
Here's the thing, Dave, why do you say nothing about photos that I posted of the reflection pool on the turf at the stadium? Why do you say nothing about the holes in the turf that is less than four years old?
Yes, you are stealing money. You are stealing tax dollars to fund your field of dreams, which nobody wants but you. You are complaining of some puddles on a field while there are people who have had cars totaled because of flash flooding. You expect us to pay for things we may not use, but we are forbidden to listen to your plans. We are not permitted to attend your secret meetings. You fail to include the parents of the young athletes of your intentions. You want to talk about ridiculous? THAT is ridiculous.
Elaine
Not Dave, but nice try. All turf field have maintenance just like a grass field. And guess what--MANY of us want this new field! SURPRISED? You might be, but there are plenty of people who support this. You don't want it, I get that, but why do you think your way is the way it should go? I completely believe you are entitled to your opinions and thoughts, but you refuse to understand that many people just don't agree with you. This field situation is a big issue for many people who want better rec facilities. The money is flowing in to support the groups contribution and no one is stealing anything. Anyone belonging to a sports organization is well aware. I am not saying it is 100% of the members supporting this, but I would guess easily it is 90%.
Why do you think we don't count? Why do you think our opinions and wishes don't matter? I do think you have the right for your voice to be heard, it is a shame you don't think mine should be heard or moreover, you don't think my opinion has value because it doesn't agree with yours. Shame on you!
Where was your financial report? When did you ever give a financial report? What happened to the 25% share of the cost? Where is soccer's donation, allegedly the largest donor? Where are the thousands of dollars from Dick's Sporting Goods? Nobody wants naming rights? Why aren't bids going out today, as indicated all along? What happened to the drop dead deadline of May 15 for the now $250,000 and not 25%? What happened to Mr. Eat 'N Park and his letter of support which on this blog? Why does the 60% increase in slots make no sense? If you extend seasons, how can kids who play multiple sports have overlapping seasons? Yes, Kristen Linfante says that there is overwhelming support for this project. I counted 18 emails to be exact in my RTK. Why does the SAB carrymore weight than any other board? Why the super secret task force meetings? Why the bullying, if there is so much support? Why don't you proudly sign your name and be heard? Prove me wrong. Silly me, when the commission can lie and bully their constituents, anything is possible. Do you really need to be heard? You are getting what you want.
Elaine
Apparently 11:43 you cannot read. Where did I say that if the spports groups do the legwork they shouldn't be paid?
If you read my plan I specifically said "IF" the sports groups "ARE" selected to sell the signs they should get "a commission". Which they could keep for themselves OR donate to the 'private' turf funds.
First step though in my read of the municipal codes the selling/leasing of any municipal real estate (permanently afixed chain link fences are real estate by definition) require an advertisement for bids. This was not done, it was just handed to the sports groups, specified that sign revenue was to be counted as "private" donations and given to the community endowment. That is where I believe the stealing comes in- somehow public property is being sold/leased but the revenue isn't going directly into the public treasury!
As for 11:38, if you are so cocksure that more people want turf than don't... Lets put it to a referendum bote! I can accept the outcome, can you?
Good rebuttal Elaine! Seriously. Ask them for the photos of the proper divot maintenance being done on the grassfields as well.
If the fields were receiving proper care we might not be having this conversation
I would certainly ask for the resignation of all department heads,if I were elected. They can reapply if they wish but everyone needs to be taken out of their comfort zone.
Wait until the sports parents find out grass fields are an option for expansion that they were never told about and wait until the word spreads that the EPA and Consumer Product commission hasn't approved synthetic turf for use by children. Then they will want their money back and Bendel will say, "sorry, it's ours now".
Q: where does the revenue from golf course and tennis center signs, scorecard ads, snack bars, etc., go directly?
Does it go into specific accounts for each, recrration dept. in general or does it go into the municipal general accounts and then used on almost any muni project?
I don't know, but doubt the revenues go into the community endowment as they are proposing for the sports field sign revenue.
Whoever it is from the Municipality that is looking at my LinkedIn profile should be spending their time and my tax dollars running the town and not on the internet. Thank you
Why isn't Mt Lebanon participating in the joint efforts our neighbors have undertaken to address the flooding from Chartiers Creek?
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2013/10/14/Bridgeville-works-on-ways-to-stop-flooding-in-McLaughlin-Run/stories/201310140039
Are the turf boys Brumfield/Bendel going to rotate in and out of commission meetings and discussions over the next couple of months so that votes and consensus can never occur? Just wondering since everything seemed to rest on waiting to talk to John during the last discussion. I say: No-show, no-turf.
See page 13 of John Bendel's Field Enhancement presentation listed in this post, New street signs in Mt. Lebanon, Gateway Engineers' Opinion of Cost under Contingency/Soft Costs is listed as $89,070. Yet, Gateway's costs shown above are estimated at $100,997 and growing.
Elaine
Gateway is telling the public that a public forum will cost $11,000.
Maybe this is because:
McNitt: 2500
Environmental health/Toxicologist: Free
Deiseroth: 8500
National federally environmental health groups have said they could provide expertise in a public forum for free via skype/techological assistance.
http://www.thealmanac.net/article/20140515/NEWS11/140519976#.U3XxldwzJg0
Please note that the "contingency/soft costs" are not one in the same. They are different. The Gateway "budget" of $100,000 + is in the project "soft cost" category only. The "contingency" is an allowance for additional costs beyond awarded contract costs, as well as other permitting, insurance and legal in the "soft cost" category for change orders to cover added costs because of errors & omissions, hidden defects, etc. once the project is underway. The typical allowance for "contingency" in construction projects 5% - 10% of construction costs depending on project size, complexity and duration.
The Gateway cumulative costs for several prior attempts to force this farce on taxpayers since 2010 should also be added to this project, but won't because it would be too embarrassing for the Administration and Commission.
Such is the state of governance in the bubble. How sad !
Hmmm, I wonder if any of those unpaid parking fines belong to Gateway aasociates?
Brumfield isn't stealing money, he is stealing your parks, Mt Lebanon.
Tomorrow is National Kids to Parks Day. But since Brumfield has taken over Mt Lebanon, a park isn't really a park if kids are playing sports.
Since Brumfield has stolen Mt Lebanon's field spaces, he can strip-mine them against the advice of all volunteer boards and the prevailing sentiment of the community.
So even though millions of people like to believe "The Parks are Yours!", they aren't if you live in Mt Lebanon and they are stolen by Brumfield.
So my advice to Mt Lebanon kids for tomorrow: stay away from open green space. That park-like space isn't yours anymore -- it's BRUMFIELD'S.
I remember Kelly asking for several plans for fields that were made by Gateway. How much did we pay for those previous designs?
Stealing, might not be the proper description of what is going on with what is going on with this turf initiative... maybe the proper call is 'diverting'.
How else do you justify selling public space on municipal fences for advertising then claiming that money is 'private'- for instance?
Why are Deiseroth, Bendel and Brumfield inviting McNitt, who has a PARTNERSHIP WITH FIELDTURF at Penn State, to the community forum on the safety of synthetic turf?
TALK ABOUT BIAS
Darren Gill, Director of Marketing for Fieldturf, stated that Fieldturf looked for a university partner who can augment what is currently being done internally. “Truth be told, when we sought out this partnership, we only had one partner in mind, and that was Penn State, largely because of Dr. McNitt.”
In july 2009, Fieldturf launched the Center for Sports Surface Research within the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State.
NOTHING BIASED ABOUT THIS $11,000 PUBLIC FORUM
By the way, if Gateway doesn't attend the forum will the price go down to $2500?
Be sure to ask McNitt about this research paper he published.
http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/ssrc/documents/temperature-irrigation.pdf
He wrote in 2008: "researchers have concluded that the heat transfer from from the surface [of artificial turf] is enough to contribute to greater physiological stress that may result in heat related health problems."
Then added on the effects of watering the turf to cool it down: "these low temperatures could not be maintained for periods of time equal to the length of standard sporting events."
I wonder, has he changed his opinion since enterimg into a partnership with FieldTurf? Is hegoing to recommend we also install an expensive irragation system and that sports groups irragate the playing surface for 200 minutes prior to sporting events?
Read the above paper he published.
Democrat or Republican, turf or no turf , I am ashamed to have Ms Linfante represent our township..she has no class regardless of her degrees. Compare her behavior to the prev women lebo com.. Regardless of political party our township can do better.
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