During the Commission Discussion Session on Tuesday, Commissioner Kelly Fraasch gave a jaw dropping presentation on the flooding issue in Mt. Lebanon. Kelly included photos of the devastation our neighbors are expected to endure. Her presentation was uploaded to her blog and can be seen in her post, Stormwater in Mt Lebanon.
Sadly, some of this year's photos were from Castle Shannon Blvd., in Dave Brumfield's ward. His constituents addressed these issues a year ago, during Citizen Comments at the August 13, 2013 Commission meeting. Did anyone see Castle Shannon Blvd. stormwater listed in the new bond issue? I didn't. At that same meeting, I talked about our aging infrastructure and how the unassigned funds should not go toward turf, at that time, for Mellon Field.
It is also sad that Dave Brumfield has not fought for relief for his constituents on Castle Shannon Blvd. He would rather put the money into turf. You are a real piece of work, Dave.
Please listen to the August 13, 2013 podcast here. Mr. Ellis' comments begin at the 00:31:00 time stamp.
The Gateway update on flooding is on the municipal website here or listen to the podcast here. The Ellis property was discussed and Dave Brumfield was a part of that discussion. Here's an idea, Dave. Instead of spending $800,000 on toxic turf, take that money and put it in the stormwater fund so that people like the Ellis family, can go back to living normal lives.
Update August 14, 2014 6:43 PM Mt. Lebanon commissioners hear flooding concerns, approve storm sewer project (Saved in Google Docs)
Elaine Gillan also criticized the board.
“You have no business paying $800,000 for a turf field and then issuing a bond on stormwater management infrastructure (and collecting) a million a year in stormwater fees,” she said. “Moody’s downgraded us (to AA-2). You guys have really lost it.”
Also
“It flooded nine days ago as well ... what would happen if there’s an emergency and someone needs to get to the hospital?” Elaine Gillan, of 735 Vallevish Ave., asked. “With the construction going on there, we should have a temporary exit strategy.”Our Chief of Police, Coleman McDonough, assured residents that the police department has keys to the gates and would be able to open them in an emergency.
August 14, 2014 8:41 PM A little fact checking. We were told by Gateway that Middle and Wildcat are 2 feet higher in elevation. Here is what Google Earth says about that.
31 comments:
Couldn't see Gateway guy's face is he pissed?
Deiseroth was hunkered down, head down, did a lousy job attempting to explain problem; and, his suggested solutions were were only partial not total, and not well thought out or articulated.
When Kelly Fraasch began to show her powerpoint, which they were apparently not aware of beforehand, Deiseroth probably wanted to light her up. He became very testy with her.
2:35 PM, I couldn't see his face, but I would be willing to say that he was.
Kelly asked about the turf project and how it would affect the flooding at Greenhurst. Dan said that the fields are 2 feet higher than the intersection. I can't figure out how that could be the case. See how the fields are below Cedar Blvd. here.
Dan also said that the fields are downstream from Greenhurst. Well, guess what? Greenhurst is upstream from the fields. Doesn't water flow downhill? Exactly where will 800,000 to 1.1 million gallons of water go? According to Gateway, that is how much water gets trapped at the bottom of Greenhurst.
Elaine
The Fire Department flood statistic - only 5 flooding's over 15 years - requires clarification. The Fire Department report is based on only cases were they were "called out", that is they responded to a request for assistance with vehicle(s) and personnel to the site(s).
We all know from personal experiences that there have been far more floods in Lebo than just 5 in 15 years !
Deiseroth did not disclose that there is also flooding along Cedar at Salem and Lindendale as well !
Yes Elaine, the 800,00 to 1.1 million gallons of water was a Deiseroth number based on his referring to a depth of 4 feet over a 2-7 to 3.2 acre area at and surrounding the Greenhurst/Cedar intersection.
Is Deiseroth blind ? Can he not see that Wildcat and Middle fields are many feet lower and below Cedar Blvd. ?
He has made his stupid statement three times in public meetings and no one will challenge or correct him. Where the hell is Feller. He plays the perfect Sgt. Schultz role from "Hogans Hero's" !
According to the elevation I added in the second update here, it looks like the field is 8' below Cedar but 11.5' below the intersection of Cedar/Greenhurst, as measured at the approximate center. Not 2' HIGHER!
Elaine
$739,804 from the bond issue was spent on storm sewers on Longuevue Drive. Water not caught in those storm sewers flows over the hill onto Forest Glenn properties. We all know whose daughter lines on Forest Glenn Drive. Did this employee of the municipality influence the allocation of monies in this bond issue to stop water from flowing onto her daughter's property?
I think Deiseroth is impaired by his profession. Have you ever noticed that he constantly mentions private property that is responsible for holding storm water? Forget about grass, trees, water...
He claims that "maybe basements always flooded" in Mt Lebanon since the houses were originally built.
I find that hard to believe since just a few decades back, kids growing in up Mt Lebanon, like Marlene Parrish, recall traipsing through "meadows, fields and woods".
Or maybe these were "meadows, fields and woods" that don't "percolate" like Dan highlights as the primary problem with Middle/Wildcat that he will solve by fundraising, donating money, and ultimately constructing turf fields.
http://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2014/08/14/New-book-helps-you-forage-for-your-supper/stories/201407100001
Perhaps Deiseroth suffers from some form of engineering dyslexia?
He thinks water runs up hill, land elevations are up, not down and money grows on trees.
It's amazing how Fraasch can expose this stuff and the other Commissioners and muni staff just shrug it off.
I don't get it.
BTW, wasn't the groundbreaking for turf supposed to happen already?
The poor children are suffering so much while playing on moist grass.
Kelly is the only one with compassion. The others are there to get as much as they can while they are in office.
They are putting the brakes on the McNeilly/Robb Hollow swap that Kelly worked on.
Yes, construction was supposed to start August 1. But Feller and Linfante can't sign the contract until they can get the permit. Gateway filed for the permit but there must be some issues that have to be resolved.
Elaine
7:30pm
I watched the video and Kelly apparently had the powerpoint on the township's equipment.
If Deiseroth didn't know the staff didn't tell him not Kelly.
Is she expected to do everything for the township?
Deiseroth told Feller and the Commission on May 29th. the NPDES Permit application prepared by Gateway would very likely be approved and issued by June 30th. and the project could then proceed.
10:13 What a tangled web he weaves!
10:13 AM, that is what the SAB and the commission wanted to hear. From what I am reading, it can take anywhere from 3-6 months.
Elaine
Because we seem to be in weather cycle with is producing more rain and snow, who is responsible for plowing the snow off the new turf so the sports organizations can use it?
I don't recall seeing this in the maintenance agreement with the school district.
Nick M.
Deiseroth allegedly paid (meaning we taxpayers will pay) twice the regular permit fee for an accelerated 30-day review and approval. That's why he claimed June 30th..
Yes, that is true, 11:42 AM. However, the expedited permit can take three months or more. The regular process can take six months or more.
Elaine
Where is the Storm Water Plan that Gateway was to prepare in early 2013, and referred to in the Aug. 8th. 2014 commission discussion session on Cedar flooding. The 2013 - 2017 Capital Improvement Plan for major storm water projects did not include anything for Cedar Blvd. during the 5-year Plan period !
Why is that Plan not posted on the mini website ?
11:57 AM - and Deiseroth, having years of experience with these permits in the 20+ muni's Gateway serves, didn't know that; or, possibly "fibbed" to the ignorant Lebo incompetents including the SAB heavies ?
12:04 PM, this is all I can find on the municipal website concerning a stormwater plan.
combating storm water runoff
"In July, Dan Deiseroth, Mt. Lebanon’s consulting engineer, Kathleen Hrabovsky of Mt. Lebanon’s Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) and Mt. Lebanon Commissioner Kristen Linfante, commission liaison to the ESB, spoke at a community coordinator’s meeting convened to discuss the utility and other green initiatives with leaders from other communities."
And
Gateway Project Status Report December 2013
Elaine
While on the subject of stormwater, here is what will happen to us on Middle and Wildcat sooner or later.
Kibler Field Turf Damaged by Historic Rain, Offline this Fall
Elaine
Funny isn't it that the two natural Bermuda grass fields survived the the "historic rains" and remain availble for games, but the artificially turfed Keibler Field did not.
Wonder if they lost 60% of their game slots, Mr. Bendel?
Do homeowners that surround the soon-to-be turfed fields have a legal basis for a lawsuit if their homes show a marked increase in heating next summer? Our backyard is right against Wildcat. All the heat in the summer on that field will move towards us. Common sense says we'll be hotter making our cooling costs increase. How many trees are to be removed? How much larger is the parking lot to be? What about all the noise? Luckily we are higher and flooding isn't our issue.
Oh Elaine, don't worry about a field being offline. The Daves would raid the stormwater fund and not pave roads just to get the turf back.
Remember, turf is a "need!!!"
--Tom the Tinker
Concerning the Gateway Status Report, why has nothing been done in regards to the Ellis property? According to the report, repair work was done for the Klett residence and a homeowner on Morrison Inlet. Is the municipality playing favorites and/or discriminating among property owners in ML?
Good question, 9:14 PM. The Ellis property is in Dave Brumfield's ward. I'm sorry that this inconvenience made Dave cranky at his block party. I wrote about the flooding in his ward a year ago, on more than one occasion.
Extensive Flood Damage vs. Turfing a Field
Flooding update from mtl Magazine
New street signs in Mt. Lebanon
Commissioners: Stop and Face the Flood Waters
Dave Brumfield, what a guy!
Elaine
9:14/9:59 This is no actual objective, fair, transparent system for deciding which homes/streets get priority status for flood related repairs. It's up to a little group of people to decide behind closed doors.... just like the decision making process for fixing roads.
Too much corruption going on! Flooded residents need to het together and file a complaint to the state!
10:57,
Speed bumps are decided behind closed doors too. Who lives in the 300 block of Newburn Drive?
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