The purpose of this meeting is to update Mt. Lebanon residents about the Middle/Wildcat "Field Improvements" a.k.a. Artificial Turf Project with an unbiased toxicologist and the unbiased Director of the Center for Sports Surface Research at Penn State, Andrew McNitt. It was revealed that Penn State and FieldTurf, an artificial turf company, formed a partnership in July 2009. The cost of this public outreach will be $11,000, according to Municipal Engineer Dan Deiseroth, from Gateway Engineering. You may recall that Gateway made the first contribution of $4,000 to the non-municipal portion of the the project. In the press release, there was no mention of a toxicologist or Penn State. Susan Morgans writes:
Commission Vice President John Bendel will facilitate the meeting, at which he and several consultants will speak and provide audio-visual presentations."Bend it with Bendel" has never seen any documentation that states that artificial turf is unsafe. That translates to "Artificial Turf - proven to be safe!" It must be true. At least that is what the pro-turf signs indicate.
In the same Almanac article
Commissioner Kelly Fraasch then proposed that all Turf Task Force meetings be open to the public. She said other municipal task forces, such as the one handling a possible pay-as-you-throw trash program, were open for any member of the public to attend. Yet, some residents said they had been turned away from task force meetings related to the turf project.We never did hear what John Bendel had to say. We didn't because I didn't ask him during Citizen Comments. The only way we got the SAB Financial Report at the last meeting is because I asked him point blank at the commission meeting. And if I don't ask, they don't tell. Brumfield didn't ask (of course!) and Kelly Fraasch never followed up.
In response, commissioner Dave Brumfield seemed to waver. He said he would like to hear from commissioner John Bendel, who was absent from the meeting, before offering a final opinion.
“I don’t have a problem with those meetings being public,” Brumfield said, “but they are not required to be public. I would want to hear what John has to say.”
"Bend it with Bendel" told us that the non-municipal funds were due May 15. Now, they are due before the commission awards the contract. Bid opening is June 17. I would guess that the contract would be awarded at the June 23 Commission meeting. That bought the SAB more than a month's time to raise the $250,000.
Another statement the PA governor hopeful made is that there is no Phase 2 to the project. However, on page 64 and 65 of the 2014 Manager's Recommended Budget
23 Athletic Field Improvements. Installation of artificial turf and lights at Wildcat and Middle Fields $1,050,000.Bendel, the one who has never heard anything bad about artificial turf, will end the June 12 Informercial, by addressing questions "suggested by the audience." That means there will be no Q & A. Future Gov. Bendel will be in control of the entire dog and pony show. My suggestion at the last commission meeting was to cancel this $11,000 Informercial and use the money toward fixing some roads.
74 comments:
To quote Frank Underwood...
"Democracy is so overrated."
--Tom the Tinker
Lets set the record straight. Deiseroth's statement of the professional budget for the turf project, a posting on this blog on May 14th., listed the Andy McNitt meeting in June at $2,500. Where did the $11,000 cost come from, what is it based upon, who is paying it and what account will it be charged to in fact - it better be the turf project cause we're watching !
A separate "placeholder" listing followed the McNitt cost item as being a "Toxicologist" also costing $2,500. Some people have apparently concluded the "Toxicologist" was to be included in the McNitt meeting, which apparently is not the case ?
How about basic signs that get the message to most: "Artificial Turf will cost YOU $1,000,000+. Are you okay with that?"
Elaine, you included a link to the 2014 Managers Recommended Budget and inferred that the Manager recommended inclusion of the turf project in the 2014 budget. In point of fact, he did not recommend the turf project ! Refer to budget pages 64 and 65. The Managers cut-off for recommended capital projects for 2014 was capital item #19. The turf project was #23, and did not make the cut.
The Commission went around Feller and included the turf project for 2014....without the lighting originally to be included.
i just spent $75 and got the bid package from Gateway. Great news! On the first plan, it says in bold print,"No Wetlands Exist on Site. Site is not in the 100 year floodplain."
I see why there is no pitchers mound included. It would be in the way of the soccer and lacrosse playing field. So sorry, Chip. I guess you should have told Brumfield not to mess with you, instead of me. I would have included the pitchers mound for you.
Elaine
I hope the Treasurer will be able to show the $250,000 has actually been credited to the municipaly before the bid is awarded. None of this - the money has been pledged or here is the check etc.
Add Alternate #4 is the Donor Sign, which includes bronze panels and mounted marble veneer and the main sign says" This Park Was Made Possible by
Large space for Major Naming Sponsor and logo.
Special thanks to
Council
Council
Council
Department
Group A
Group B
Group C
and
Mt. Lebanon Department of Recreation
Is this enough to make you pissed yet?
Elaine
I gave a lot in damn taxes (it is in the $750,000 municipal share)... I DEMAND my name be added to the plaque too!!!!
How about a huge inflatable middle finger next to the main sign!
Sorry, I see no thanks to taxpayers. Are you pissed yet?
WIll this make the public mad enough to get involved? Or do you still have excuses?
I can sleep at night knowing that I did everything humanly possible to stop this project.
Elaine
Keep telling yourself... "It's all for the kids!" It's all for the kids!" "it's all for the kids!"
12:06, the only problem with your inflatable finger sign is that it will be blocked out by the huge inflated egos of the people involved in putting in turf.
With regard to Brumfield's predictable remark that the Task Force meetings "are not required to be public," it is just another example of doing the public's business under a rock. Tom the Tinker is exactly right. What about the goal of an enlightened commission for the 21st Century?
How about no more markers or plaques on any public work. These are community efforts and paid for by all. Let's take the big egos out of the game. Of such plaques it might be said "You didn't build that."
An $11,000 meeting to give interested residents factual information on a project that IS STARTING THIS SUMMER!
This meeting is being lead by a guy that hasn't seen any negative evidence about artificial though he sat through several meeting where it was presented. His own Penn State turf expert has written about hazards and he hasn't seen those either.
The deadline for the non-municipal (what a joke) cash is June 17th, but this project is starting this summer.
Why attend? Why ask questions?
It is a sad, sad $11,000 joke!
Can you help me understand the "not in 100 year floodplain" comment from the $75 document? The recently FEMA maps make it look like fields are in the flood plain. Do I need to go out measure the distance from the backyards of Cedar Boulevard that have been newly recategorized as flood zones? I'd be happy to do so.
Only if you plan to do something about it.
Elaine
The Manager does not have control of the Commission.
You mean, the commission has no control of the manager! And we are powerless!
Elaine
From thealmanac.net--
http://www.thealmanac.net/article/20140531/SPORTS/140539995#.U4zEISd5mc0
"Mt. Lebanon doubled its pleasure in the PIAA tournament, advancing both its girls’ and boys’ lacrosse teams to the state semifinals with back-to-back victories in quarterfinal matches at Moon Stadium.
The teams played a doubleheader last night at Cumberland Valley High School. The girls battled Garnett Valley while the boys faced off against Penn Crest.
To reach the Final Four, the Lebo ladies defeated Quaker Valley, 12-8, to extend their undefeated season to 22-0. The Blue Devils had beaten the Quakers back on 23 to clinch the WPIAL title."
Just think... these kids grew up playing on natural grass fields. But could it be here's how the big game is really played?
"“Tim was outstanding,” agreed Lebo head coach Mike Ermer. “My defense as a whole played real well.
In addition to Preston Chamberlin, Charlie Cappucci provided strong play on defense. Ean Cafaro contributed as well.
Ermer cited Cappucci adding, “he has given us quality minutes all year but he was asked to do more and he was outstanding.”"
I thought the high school lacrosse teams have played on the high school turf?
This is 1 pm here.
I care about my neighbors even when they don't live next door. I've driven down Vee Lynn Drive and Cedar Boulevard. Their signs tell it all -- they don't want the synthetic turf -- and either do I.
If you don't want synthetic turf in your backyard, you shouldn't want it in somebody else's. I am already active in protesting these fields. What we need, Mt Lebanon, is for everybody to stand together for what is right. You know these fields are wrong or you wouldn't be reading this blog. Take a stand.
Thank you, 3:16 PM. Yes, you are active in protesting these fields and I really appreciate it.
I would like to see the PAB and the ESB do more than just make a statement. Or do they think their work is done all because they made a statement?
Where is PennFuture?
Where is the Nature Conservancy?
Why bother if you don't take a stand?
Elaine
2:59 they do, but remember the argument for turfing MWC is that we MUST HAVE a lacrosse field that meets size regulations.
Beside that though, do you really believe that these stellar high school athletes suddenly bloomed in all their athletic prowess only when they hit the HS turf?
Or did they develop their athletism growing up and playing sports on our natural grass fields.
Perhaps they serve a magical elixir - say Horn of Unicorn - in the high school cafeteria.
If so, I hope they didn't throw out the recipe with the old trophy case!
Remember, the Municipal contribution is capped at $750K. If they want to spend some of it on this "expert" that's OK. It just means the sports groups will have to raise that much more.
If it's on the 100 year flood map, it cannot be ignored. Who's in charge? If it is on the map, then the RFP must be withdrawn. Imagine if this were private land and you wanted to proceed like this.
Someone tell Mr. Bendel that it is OK to have a contrary opinion, but that does not mean denying the existence of expert opinion with which you do not agree. Explain it away, don't deny it. Deniers!
IMPORTANT CHANGE!!
The new bid opening date is Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 11 AM.
This announcement is another fine service brought to you by Lebo Citizens. You won't hear it from the municipality.
Just another bend it with Bendel.
Elaine
Yesterday, a Lebo Citizens reader was at the stadium for Relay for Life. The ambient air temperature was 79ºF but the turf temperature read 118ºF.
As mtl Magazine wrote on Facebook, "Could the weather have been more perfect? "
Elaine
Do you think Bendel will claim that he has never seen evidence that temperatures get that high?
4:44 PM, uh yeah, no. There is a majority vote and they can make it as high as they want. There are more unassigned funds available now.
Elaine
4:44 we were told the high school project would come in under $113.4 million.
It will if your don't mind the kids eating on the floor in the cafeteria, not being able to hear in the auditorium and the trophies just sitting on a shelf somewhere.
The same thing is going to happen with the turf.
Commissioner Kely Fraasch updated her blog with details about the June 12 turf meeting. Dr. McNitt admitted in a letter to the commission that he will not answering or addressing health concerns.
Read more here.
Elaine
Elaine what's going to happen? This Dog & Pony Show is for the Sports Dads to show them how wonderful the turf will be. I've been telling the football, baseball and softball people this is FOR lacrosse with a very limited use for soccer. Watch in the end the infield be eliminated and YOU blamed. Brumfield will claim that's where the $11,000 went.
8:43 PM, where will Brumfield claim the $11,000 went?
Why would the infield be eliminated?
Elaine
Why wouldn't FieldTurf pay for the dog and pony show? They're trying to sell us on how great their turf will look!
Is municipality capable of maintaining an artificial turf field? Quick call to several major Allegheny townships and boroughs to determine if they (not their associated school districts) contain artificial turf fields in their park systems: of 24 contacted, 15 have confirmed they have no artificial turf (including USC, south Fayette, fox chapel, pine, Richland, Marshall, sewickley borough, Hampton, Whitehall, Baldwin, greentree and others). I am waiting to hear back from 9 others. The only municipality to confirm an artificial turf field under their purveyance is Peters in Washington County.
Either these other towns are well behind Mt Lebanon in vision or they don't see the benefits of spending a large amount of capital for something as frivolous as artificial turf. My guess is the latter.
FYI if anything happens with the pool, say a leak...The water and all the chemicals in the pool are going right over the cliff and into WC and M fields! Ask Scott Township and Dormont if Pools leak!
How was the change date for opening bids announced? Is a favored bidder getting special treatment? What happened to the publicly advertised "All Proposals must be in the hands of David Donnellan, Director of Recreation, Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 before 11:00 a.m. prevailing time, June 17, 2014 and the same will be publicly opened and read at that time at the Municipal Building Commission Chambers located at 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2014 at 10:00 AM, on the second floor of the Recreation Center located at 900 Cedar Boulevard, Pittsburgh PA 15228."
Sorry Elaine I was at work and didn't proof what I wrote. Brumfield will blame you for the $11,000 having to be spent and when the baseball and softball groups come to see that the infield was eliminated Brumfield will again blame you as that $11,000 is what the infield would have cost. The talk around the sidelines at lacrosse practice is that it is going to cost around $1.6 million just for the field. Parking and drainage will be added later when it will be to late to stop it. One of the High School coaches are telling the kids that lacrosse will be a year round sport as an indoor field is planned. Of course football, track and other sports will be able to use it when lacrosse isn't. Anyone interested in starting a drive to rename W/C to Brumfield's Folly? If there is a silver lining in all this it kills Brumfield's political career. Miller or Smith can't find this!
So we have a turf "expert" who was clearly bought off by a company that is charging us $11,000 to appear to paint a rainbow and gloss over health, flooding and any other issue that has been brought up.
And on top of that, you won't be able to ask questions that haven't been curated by the turf boys (and girl).
I don't know about you but I don't see that as a responsible spend of $11,000.
I bet we could get enough tar and feathers to give the commissioners all new suits for far less than that.
--Tom the Tinker
1:09AM, I do believe they are right in saying it will cost $1.6 million for the field that number will include the drainage and some other amenities but definitely not parking.
No, no, no, Tom the Tinker. McNitt isn't charging the full $11,000. Gateway's fee is in there too, plus any other unbiased "expert" Bendel decides to include. Remember, Gateway is charging Mt. Lebanon for the time spent at SAB meetings.
Anybody with nothing to do out there? File a RTK for Gateway's billable hours.
1:09 AM, Brumfield isn't the only one who has dreams of a political career. Bendel wants to be governor!
Damion, there was no doubt in my mind that the project would cost more. Likewise, no doubt in the commission's mind. Why else would they drop the "25%" share of non-municipal funds and stick to the $250,000? $250,000 is the smaller number.
Elaine
Elaine,
I stand corrected. It's hard to keep track with so many people trying to loot the public treasury.
And Bendel as governor? Oh no. This turf project is going to be an albatross around his neck for a LONG TIME. He may have his sport buddies fooled but I think even their support will wane. Even they are starting to see Brumfield just used them to get a lacrosse field of dreams.
--Tom the Tinker
Here's a thought - let me know if it is plausible?
Could we be barking up the wrong tree by blaming all this turfing on Brumfield and Bendel?
Lets take a close look. Yesterday in the Almanac there was a prominent story on the Lebo lacrosse team and what name got mentioned twice?
Today, someone writes here that the lacrosse coach is telling his players that lacrosse will be a year round sports and an indoor facility is planned.
Soooo... what better venue to get your kid noticed by a prominent university handing out scholarships than a "crown jewel" field and program?
The district couldn't very well tackle expanding the stadium for regulation lacrosse on their own dime embroiled in the renovation, so they get the commissioners to do it for them. Plus turf would cut into the community will to build an indoor facility.
Now here's what would cinch the idea... How many pro-turfers have kids in or coming up in lacrosse?
I'd to hear if anyone thinks this is a plausible scenerio?
You're exactly right Elaine. They dropped that $250,000 or 25% - which ever is greater - commitment like a hot potato!
Plus haven't we gone through this musical before. Remember the first bids on the high school renovation were delayed being opened. When they were the school board was - gasp, shocked - to read they were over $120,000,000. Then they started cutting, just enough and all stuff that could be done as capital improvements to get the bid under the cap.
For the latecomers to the fields debate:
Two Years Ago:
Commissioner Fraasch presented another plan to the municipality and commission in 2012 to address concerns presented by the Youth Sports Association.
Parents who have paid dues year after year, and fundraised for the field sports groups represented by the YSA were never provided with information about the plan presented by Commissioner Fraasch, which included the addition of new grass fields. The sports groups did not tell the whole story when they asked parents to make donations to the synthetic turf. The municipality also never distributed her plan to the public.
The alternate field plan addressed the long-standing concerns from the YSA and was also sensitive to the significant unaddressed problems voiced by residents who live in close proximity to Robb Hollow. Those Robb Hollow residents, in contrast to the previously content Vee Lynn drive residents, were suffering because the Robb Hollow park was being misused by public works over a number of years and the passive areas of the park were and continue to be neglected.
The alternate field plan also incorporated ideas that would appeal to a wide range of the community because in addition to new grass fields, the plan incorporated an outdoor classroom, walking trails, a dog park and ideas on how to remedy issues with how public works is currently managing their space.
When Commissioner Fraasch presented her alternate plan to various stakeholders, a select group of residents became quite irrationally irritated by the plan. The select group of residents that opposed her plan worked very hard to discredit her ideas, and behaved in a manner that garnered the attention not only of other commissioners and municipal leadership, but also of the police on more than one occasion. Despite their alarming behaviors, a couple members of the select few were promoted to leadership roles on the SAB and the Turf Task Force. Apparently, the home rule charter does not include behavioral standards for volunteer board leaders or mandate police enforcement of threatening behavior.
Today:
From your viewpoint, do you think the alternate field plan received the fair distribution among residents and sports parents that it warranted? Do you think that parents and residents have received the information they deserve? Do you think the sports groups presented their requests for synthetic turf donations in an objective, honest manner? Did the sports groups tell the whole story? Did they mention the alternate field plan, the EPA’s position on synthetic turf, health concerns of crumb-rubber and plastic fields, or the environmental impact? Did anyone even consider talking to the people who live by Middle/Wildcat before this plan was approved?
Tomorrow:
Drive down Vee Lynn drive and see how you think those residents feel about Middle/Wildcat. You will observe an undeniable fact: they don’t want the synthetic turf in their backyard and nor should you. Among other things, a vote in favor of turf is a vote against your neighbors, against transparency, against women and against the future of raising children who understand fairness and decency. The majority of our commissioners have already voted for turf, but it’s not too late for you.
Vote with your own words here:
commission@mtlebanon.org
DMiller@pahouse.net
sfeller@mtlebanon.org
Deiseroth/ Gateway Engineering critically declared original Fraasch's upper Robb Hollow field proposal to be of less than regulation size, which the 3 Dave's - Brumfield, Franklin and Donnellan - accepted without question. Fraasch was able to show that a regulation field could be developed at that site, but Deiseroth and the 3 Dave-stooges would have none of it, and conspired to create the SAB and push for artificial turf at WC/M with added specious ranting and bully-boy behavior.
One presumes Fraasch could still prove her contention and provide the evidence, but has 4 votes against her plus total opposition by Deiseroth and Donnellan. The school district is laying in the weeds, not really wanting to be openly associated with this nightmare.
On April 9th the Almanac wrote this in a column on the artificial turf- "“We are not experts on the health effects of artificial turf,” municipal engineer Dan Dieseroth said at a presentation at the April 8 commission meeting. “Jim (Sauer) has been reaching out to some of his contacts in the industry. We are hope to get some additional information and possibly get someone in front of the commission to answer questions.”"
http://www.thealmanac.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140409/NEWS/140409950&template=printarticle
Now then a question. If Dieseroth said they weren't experts on the health effects of artificial turf, and numerous residents submitted concerns and evidence of such-- why would Bendel claim he "...has never seen any articles about the dangers of turf." as reported by this blog.
A quick search of the internet will produce numerous articles on the health and environmental impact of artificial turf, but Bendel claims he has never seen any articles?
Can he not see? Maybe he can't read? Maybe he didn't do due diligence as a commissioner after Dieseroth told him "we're not health experts" and simply didn't look.
I'd want to know and try to find every article for or against before commiting the community to a $1 million+ project.
I don't know the correct answer to the preceeding questions, but not having it is cause for concern, I think.
3:45:: Thank you for your comments. It's refreshing to read someone telling it like it is. Your comments make common sense and reflect the Turf Proponents glaring lack of concern, common sense, and transparency!!!!
7:30 PM, I submitted a RTK in March requesting all records of findings of facts, opinions and recommendations by the Sports Advisory Board (SAB) to the Commission from the date of the original SAB appointments (Feb. 2013) until March 1, 2014 regarding health and/or safety aspects associated with artificial turf.
The RTK response from Mr. Feller, which took 5 plus 30 days was zero, nada, nothing. No such records !
In Mt. Lebanon law, the Administrative Code, Section 125.2, requires that all Muni Boards shall (not will, may or can, but shall in the legal meaning)submit findings of fact, opinions and recommendations to the Commission in writing. Not via phone calls, passing in hallways, orally.
I can only conclude that if the SAB & Commission have exchanged such subject information, they have not done so in the legally required manner. Otherwise, in spite of registered community questions and concerns, they have had or shared no written communications on this subject.
Sort of like the saying, "don't confuse us with contrary facts, our minds are made up !"
Also for the record, another resident also submitted a RTK recently for the written "Rules of Procedure" that were supposed to be established by the SAB to govern the conduct of their meetings and actions. It took Mr. Feller only 5 days to respond saying "there were none". Mt. Lebanon law, Administrative Code, Section 125.6 specifies that all boards & authorities shall establish written "Rules of Procedure" and that such "Rules" be available to the public upon request. This makes the SAB a nonconforming, unreliable, rogue organization. Not at all surprising to a large and growing number of residents.
7:30 I believe Bendel does have problems with reading, as does Franklin. In one SAB meeting, Franklin said he hadn't been to the library in years but he understands that it's a community amenity. He likes to compare the utility of these synthetic fields to our library as well as the Miracle League fields in USC that were created without taxpayer money, serve children with special needs, and were installed on relatively newly purchased land.
9:54, read section VI of the Home Rule Charter pertaining to the duties of the Solicitor.
Does it look like nobody is home for the Home Rule Charter?
Kanye West said it best ~~ "John Bendel doesn't care about people."
Now listen hear you conservative scum, I've been living in Mt. Lebanon since 1975 and it has never seen better days. After the horrible era of Reagan, the Mt. Lebanon economy was in shambles and it wasn't until Obama came around that these problems were solved. Our democratic friends who are the commissioners of Mt. Lebanon have never done a better job. Without a doubt, John Bendel has a better education than any of you bible thumpers can dream of. His intelligence in the business industry permits him to make the best choices for Mt. Lebanon. The conservatives, namely Mr. Brumfield, wish to keep Mt. Lebanon in the 1500s while Mr. Bendel seeks only to advance us as a people. Please try to look into the mirror and realize what you're opposing. While you will most likely not post this, it is my duty to volunteer it.
9:44AM,
What?
Your attempt at comedy was terrible. I mean absolutely terrible.
9:44am is actually bibleboy1776. No question about it. It's the same schtick, just turned around. He's about as funny as a Texas rattler on the patio.
Bob D.
I don't know why this is such a big deal. Mt Lebanon has no other options because we are a built out community.
Ah, but it's not, 1:13 PM. Read the June 3 comment at 3:45 PM. Kelly Fraasch proposed a larger field than what is going to be turfed at MWC.
Elaine
1:13 please make sure you get your facts straight instead of blindly drinking the Gatorade.
There is plenty of room to add a field AND MORE at Robb Hollow.
We purchased two plots of land- Twin Hills and McNeilly using that same tired and over used argument that wasted $3 million of taxpayer money.
For that $3 million we could have properly graded and resodded every municipal field.
elaine i don't see any plans for rob hollow and don't believe we could put a field there.
4:43 PM, I have emailed Kelly Fraasch for her Robb Hollow proposal. She had an initial one, which I had posted on my website, but I remember that there were some changes made which would give the kids a full size field. When she emails me the plan, I will post it on the blog.
Elaine
From Brumfield's blog some time ago: http://www.davebrumfield.com/
Try to pay attention- 4:43!
"When this plan was presented to the Commission I was told that we did not have the votes to put this in a bond. Commissioner
Fraasch asked me if I would be willing to support a different plan. I advised her that if it added a regulation sized field in Mt. Lebanon I
would look at it. To her credit the plan she came up with added two fields, an Upper Robb Hollow field and a lower Public Works
junior field. In the first few preliminary sketches of these plans the Upper Robb Hollow field was not regulation and there was
significant question as to whether Public Works could give up the space to allow for a field. After months of work we got a
presentation from the Municipal Engineer about the project. To develop a full size field at Robb Hollow we would have to clear 7
acres, hundreds of trees would have been cut down. The development would also have required 40 foot high engineered slopes.
These slopes would have contributed to increased drainage on the field and would likely have not supported grass. Additionally, the
plan called for a one lane road to a 30 spot parking lot. There was some discussion of possibly turfing and lighting the facility with the
increased cost to be paid by the stakeholders."
Now 4:43 ask Brumfield about the plaza, new parking, new lights that will be off the artificial turf bid!
"This year I returned to the field issue. My first proposal was to support the recommendation of the youth sports organizations and
turf Middle and wildcat field. As discussed above this would have addressed the field issue by making current fields more useful.
Turf allows play to begin in early March rather than April and allows it to continue well into November. Additionally, turf is always
playable no matter how much it rains. Finally, Middle and Wildcat have existing lighting to extend the times the field is available. But
perhaps the greatest benefit is the increased versatility it would have provided. Turfing Middle and Wildcat would have created a
playing are that would have created three competition fields (they cannot be used simultaneously) a full size baseball field, a youth
baseball field and our first regulation size competition soccer and lacrosse field. That field of course could also be used for football or
field hockey. Based on estimates developed by the youth sports representatives this plan would have cost $750,000-$900,000.
Included in those options would be an eco-friendly turf option."
Make note that Brumfield states emphatically "they cannot be used simultaneously" regarding MWC!
The next paragraph is self-explanatory for anyone with a brain, 4:43. Watch and see where the MWC bids come in and what they imclude!
"In the end I saw a project that would cost a minimum of $1.5 million and possibly over $2 million for an unlit grass field. (The
Engineer’s estimate for field, road, and parking lot plus necessary costs of relocation of leaf operation and access issues) If turf and
lights were added not only would the cost have gone up $500,000-$800,000 dollars but additional concerns for surrounding residents
would have been introduced. So for somewhere between $2 million and $2.8 million we would have had a turfed and lit competition
rectangular field. (As a side note it would not have had bathroom facilities, bleachers, a snack bar or any other amenities at that
price.) Additionally, because the field would have only had 30 parking spots and there is no accessible street parking games would
have to be staggered with 1 hour between games to allow for the change over in the parking lot. This problem is only compounded
when one considers the one way access road. As a result where as the high school turf (the only other lit turf field) can accommodate
8 1.5 hour long games between 9 and 9 Robb Hollow would have 5."
I heard back from Kelly. Recreation in Mt.Lebanon by Kelly Fraasch 08142012
Elaine
Everyone is always talking about parking in this walking community. We need to park for the athletic event. Does anyone else see the irony?
Remember that fixing up Robb Hollow as a recreational/nature setting reportedly permits us to off-load the unused McNeilly property. This is a deal made with state due to grants and other complicated contracts that we will never see.
Once this turf situation settles down, somebody needs to investigate the garbage pick-up. I am sniffing out a scam there. In the meantime, "do not call 911" if your garbage hasn't been picked up for 4 days.
Anyway, back to the leaf composting concern expressed by Brumfield: we don't have to do leaf composting at public works. Let's put on our creative thinking caps about other options for leaves.
At least there's a little bit of information on the subject available:
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/composting/14063
Like driving to the gym to get some exercise.
I think it is pathetic how our pathological liar said in the Trib on Feb. 12, "the decision ultimately rests with commissioners. 'At least three of us voted for it because we saw no other options, nowhere else to put fields.'"
Yet, there was a plan presented two years ago for more fields in Robb Hollow. See link to plan in my 10:01 PM comment.
Elaine
9:54 writes: "Also for the record, another resident also submitted a RTK recently for the written "Rules of Procedure" that were supposed to be established by the SAB to govern the conduct of their meetings and actions. It took Mr. Feller only 5 days to respond saying "there were none". Mt. Lebanon law, Administrative Code, Section 125.6 specifies that all boards & authorities shall establish written "Rules of Procedure" and that such "Rules" be available to the public upon request. This makes the SAB a nonconforming, unreliable, rogue organization. Not at all surprising to a large and growing number of residents."
Now here is the question. All of our elected officials take an oath of office to follow and uphold the laws of the land.
Here is an obvious breach of code and nothing is done about it!
So why aren't any of the commissioners upholding the rules?
Who has essentially free access to legal advice.
Feller answers a resident RTK request that Rules of Procedure weren't followed by a Board. Then a commissioner needs to ask for the non-conforming board to be dismissed any all the work of the board thrown out.
Seeing that their advice and that certain elected " oath takers" were part of the violation there should be penalties.
The solicitor should be made to follow up on the code violations.
Any legal scholars out there that could enlighten us on Article X, Section 1059.10 "Penalty for Failure to Comply with Law" from PA's Municipal Codes?
What are procedures for pursuing penalties if the Mt. Lebanon Codes and Charter have been ignored.
Who is responsible for ennforcing them once the elected officials have turned a blind eye?
Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act
http://www.openrecordspa.org/sunshine.html
9:45, if the Rules of Procedure were violated that would make the SAB an unauthorized board, wouldn't it? According to PA Sunshine Act we have 30 days and perhaps up to a year to challenge the have the SAB meetings and actions void.
Again any lawyers willing to lead this challenge? According to Section 714.1 below you could get compensated for your time as I read it.
Section 713. Business transacted at unauthorized meeting void
A legal challenge under this chapter shall be filed within 30 days from the date of a meeting which is open, or within 30 days from the discovery of any action that occurred at a meeting which was not open at which this chapter was violated, provided that, in the case of a meeting which was not open, no legal challenge may be commenced more than one year from the date of said meeting. The court may enjoin any challenged action until a judicial determination of the legality of the meeting at which the action was adopted is reached. Should the court determine that the meeting did not meet the requirements of this chapter, it may in its discretion find that any or all official action taken at the meeting shall be invalid. Should the court determine that the meeting met the requirements of this chapter, all official action taken at the meeting shall be fully effective.
Section 714. Penalty
(A) Fines and Costs. — Any member of any agency who participates in a meeting with the intent and purpose by that member of violating this chapter commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay:
(1) For a first offense, the costs of prosecution plus a fine of at least $100 and, in the discretion of the sentencing authority, of not more than $1,000.
(2) For a second or subsequent offense, the costs of prosecution plus a fine of at least $500 and, in the discretion of the sentencing authority, of not more than $2,000.
(B) Payment. An agency shall not make a payment on behalf of or reimburse a member of an agency for a fine or cost resulting from the member's violation of this section.
Section 714.1. Attorney fees
If the court determines that an agency willfully or with wanton disregard violated a provision of this chapter, in whole or in part, the court shall award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees and costs of litigation or an appropriate portion of the fees and costs. If the court finds that the legal challenge was of a frivolous nature or was brought with no substantial justification, the court shall award the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees and costs of litigation or an appropriate portion of the fees and costs.
@ June 3, 2014 at 12:46 AM
Let me be clear. I am against the turf project.
Your post about the bid extension tells me that you don't understand construction or the bidding process so let me break it down for you.
Contrary to what Architects and Engineers want you to believe, their work is never perfect.
This means that the documents are usually full of errors. The errors can include constructability conflicts, material conflicts, missing information, etc. Once the design team receives questions pointing out the errors in their documents, they have to make the necessary changes and get the new documents out on the street. This usually warrants a bid extension so that all of the contractors have a reasonable amount of time to address the changes. Bid extensions are standard practice and occur on just about every commercial job.
4:57 PM, I think you are the person to answer my question that I posed earlier today.
Can Add Alternates be cherry picked or is it an all or nothing deal? For instance, the water fountain is in Add Alternate #4 along with the Plaza and bronze and marble donor wall. Can we go with just the water fountain, or must we go with the whole package?
Elaine
To anyone that has followed the high school renovation it is all too obvious that architects and engineers aren't perfect. How imperfect are they is the big question.
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