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Friday, September 12, 2014
Finally! A Turf Project Update from Mt. Lebanon
During Citizen Comments at the September 9, 2014 Commission meeting, I expressed my frustrations over the lack of transparency with the Turf Project Field Enhancement Project. I have had to ask repeatedly for non-municipal funds updates, file Right To Knows, and hear too many times, that the municipality is hoping to receive the NPDES permit soon. I ended up filing a RTK with a government agency outside of Mt. Lebanon, in order to get answers. I learned that a letter was sent to Recreation Director, David Donnellan highlighting six deficiencies with Mt. Lebanon's NPDES permit application. At the commission meeting, Manager Steve Feller agreed to publishing that letter along with Mt. Lebanon's response to the Allegheny County Conservation District on Mt. Lebanon's website, along with a hard copy for my records. Here is Gateway's response.* Copies were also sent to Representative Dan Miller and Senator Matt Smith. Thank you, Steve.
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Qestions.
ReplyDeleteIf this project is such a rush, why did it take Gateway a week to respond to the ACCD?
With all the publicity and attention on this project, had my company gotten a letter listing deficencies on a project like this and considering the RUSh, my staff would've been burning the midnight oil to answer the problems.
Two of the items, 5 & 6 Gateway admits are their mistakes, so don't lay the delay on the ACCD! Get it right the first time.
If ACCD required calculation numbers aren't clear, why did Gateway go to a Westmoreland expert and Maryland for opinions. Why not just contact the ACCD for clarification before submitting the application?
Regarding the runoff. Could the lack of water retention in the soil of the current field be the root of the problem?
It doesn't get aerated enough for good root growth?
Regular care and watering at all of our fields seems to be lacking.
When did you last see a field getting watered? Isn't that a requirement for healthy grass?
Why wasn't Tim Murphy cc'd? Hmmm...
ReplyDeleteGateway needed time to obfuscate.
ReplyDeleteLook at their response to the thermal impact. They are saying water will not be heated when hitting the grass. The temperature of the fake turf is typically higher than the ambient air temperature from sun- even when some clouds are present. But, Gateway can say here that there is no impact.
Does anyone believe the 0.1 inches per hour infiltration test as observed by Gateway. Oh how I would love to run that test myself. Also on this test doesn't the run off have to be thought of as impacting things downstream? Isn't that what the question was about anyway? You increase your runoff significantly, ok, now how are you going to account for that additional runoff? Gateway literally is saying they don't have to account for that additional runoff. Didn't Bendel say they would put in a holding tank to reduce runoff or something?
Are there no naturally occurring geologic formations on the site? Who knows. Gateway says both yes and no and then here changes the yes to a no with no real explanation except that the original yes was a "typo". Hell of a typo folks.
The study they cite in Connecticut does discuss the ambient air vs surface temperature. Not sure how Gateway can have the argument both ways...
Also this gem from their justification for not having an environmental impact:
An analysis of the concentration of metals in the actual drainage water indicates that metals do not leach in amounts that would impact aquatic live as compared to existing standards.
Hmm, that's good to know...but just how much metal might affect little human life? You know, those tots that are 3 feet off the ground putting crumb rubber in their mouth and breathing the 150 degree air on hot days?
Sure - that's part of the SD's regular maintenance. The SD has been watering the field grass just as frequently as they repaired the roof on the high school. See? What's the issue?
ReplyDeleteEven if the school district was watering, according to Gateway it passes right thru.
ReplyDelete3:08 I think Gateway is trying to argue that the natural field is impermeable.
ReplyDelete3:26 Wildcat is the only athletic field in the historic district that exists as it did during the period designated as significant historically. The other green space is a cemetary and Bird Park, which only included a soccer field relatively recently. It was originally all forest.
Good point, 3:26 PM. That would be a good question for Ms. Kira Heinrich. Her address is on page 160 of the pdf document. We won't get the Historic Preservation Board commission liaison, John Bendel, to do it. The Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board is only concerned about bricks on a patchwork street of bricks, asphalt, and cement. They are afraid of their own shadows and don't want to get the commissioners mad at them.
ReplyDeleteHow about a resident rising up to the challenge?
Elaine
11:22 am I agree that it is very strange that Gateway utilized Maryland's regulations and now I think I know why: Field Turf does too!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fieldturf.com/media/W1siZiIsIjIwMTIvMDgvMDEvMjIvMjgvMTEvMjYvRWZmZWN0aXZlbmVzc19vZl9GaWVsZFR1cmZfQXJ0aWZpY2lhbF9UdXJmX2Zvcl9NYW5hZ2VtZW50X29mX1N0b3Jtd2F0ZXIucGRmIl1d/Effectiveness_of_FieldTurf_Artificial_Turf_for_Management_of_Stormwater.pdf
The project will include:
ReplyDelete•Removal of existing topsoil
•Subgrade preparation
•Installation of the new synthetic turf with underdrain system
•Utility installation
•New storm sewer inlets and piping
•New edging curb along the field
•Fencing modifications
•Grading along Cedar Blvd.
All this for less than $1,000,000 ???????
Nick M.
OK I'll admit I'm old and it is late so could someone please break all this down so an old, tired, geezer like me can understand it. Is Brumfield getting his kid's plastic grass field?
ReplyDeleteAs I see it, 1:03 AM, not this fall. The four commissioners will sit on those 2012, 2013 and Brafferton Field funds until next spring.
ReplyDeleteElaine
If the turf project doesn't get started this year, will the project need to be sent out for new bids next year?
ReplyDeleteNick M.
Good question, Nick. I keep asking that very same question, but Matt, from Gateway, assured me that we're locked into that price. I don't believe that for a minute. No contracts were signed. Additionally, depending on what the DEP accepts, the scope of the project may change.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Here are the hyperlinks mentioned in the 8:22 PM and 10:44 PM comments.
ReplyDeleteFieldTurf study
Effectiveness of FieldTurf Artificial Turf for
Management of Stormwater
Elaine
What sense does it make to send a project out for bids prior to having 100% approval from state agencies that require certain codes to be met?
ReplyDeleteNick M.
Elaine - the least disruptive start date is August 1.
ReplyDeleteI guess you are right on that, 8:47 AM. I know that He Who Shall Not Be Named was quoted as saying that contractors are looking for work by then.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Just who is Gateway working for?
ReplyDeleteThe kids, the taxpayers or Fieldturf?
We're locked into the turf price like the school district was locked into a $109 million HS renovation!
ReplyDeleteCan you say change order and capital improvement.
11:00 AM, it will just come out of the assigned funds. Say goodbye to sidewalk and road improvements, plus any flood contol projects. Kristen was all for the Summer Place people until she turned on them and wants to spend the money on killing deer.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know anything about engineering, but I question some of the "documentation" that Gateway sent to the DEP. It seems to me as though they just sent everything they had, hoping something sticks.
Elaine
*unassigned funds.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Oh, and by the way, we paid for an expedited review and are very disappointed it is taking so long. Who do you think you are asking questions? We have important work to do. It is not our fault you are taking time to read the materials submitted. Why do you have to do that anyway? We thought expedited meant "rubber stamp". Did you lose yours? Want to borrow one of ours? Let's get on with this. etc, etc, etc, ...
ReplyDeleteElaine Brumfield and his fellow democrats have NO worries after November.... Wolf will allow them to tax garbage, electricity, and for not voting for democrats. Hell, Brumfield might even be able to tax you for "Hate Speech". Get ready!
ReplyDeleteElaine A man knocked on our door this morning and his mission was to start a plan on getting rid of Brumfield. He had a paper listing all of Brumfield's follies.
ReplyDelete3:18 yep!
ReplyDeleteWolf will tax corporations and of course those nasty corporations will just spin some straw into gold to pay for those tax increases.
Ordinary citizens will never pay the price for those corporate tax hikes. Hahahahahahahha
Unfortunately3:25 PM, we are stuck with him for 3.5 more years. I would suggest a petition asking for his resignation, but I don't think you are going to get Dems to sign it. Additionally, I am not sure if signatures can be from all the wards or just Dave's ward. Also, Dave doesn't pay attention to petitions. I would be willing his list of Brumfield's follies. Just make sure his family isn't listed anywhere. Dave has told me that he will sue me. He IS a personal injury attorney, and P.I. attorneys sue over anything.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, let's stay on topic. What are coaches telling kids or parents about the turf fiasco? What is the Community Endowment telling donors?
Elaine
Anorher trip past two fields around 12:30 this afternoon found them completely empty.
ReplyDeleteI thought they weren't enough game slots.
My kids have heard coaches wondering about the turf but they haven't shared any official info about the project. Parents of athletes that I know don't seem too concerned as it isn't coming up in conversation. The typical family in Lebo doesn't lose sleep over game time slots and rained out practices.
ReplyDeleteI wish the DEP and ACCD knew that private funds are NOT in jeopardy. It was quite clear from the beginning that there will be no returns. If the project was not going forward, the private donations were to be held for other field improvements. Maybe Gateway was speaking of their own private funds.
ReplyDeleteI have the hard copy of Gateway's 169 page response, if anyone wishes to borrow it. Some people prefer reading the old-fashioned way, on paper. Email me at EGillen476@aol.com if you wish to borrow it.
Elaine
9:56 Gateway works for the municipality! The administration and the commission.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we should rename the Municipal Building 'Tammany Hall II' to remind residents that they need to keep their eyes and ears open.
ReplyDelete"The Tammany Society of New York City was founded in 1786 as a fraternal organization whose primary activities were social. By 1798, however, the society's activities had grown increasingly politicized and eventually Tammany emerged as the central proponent of Jeffersonian policies in the city of New York. Throughout the early nineteenth century Tammany continued to deepen its association with the Democratic party, emerging as the controlling interest in New York City elections after Andrew Jackson's presidential victory in 1828. Throughout the 1830s and 1840s, the society expanded its political control even further by earning the loyalty of the city's ever-expanding immigrant community, a task that was accomplished by helping newly arrived foreigners obtain jobs, a place to live, and even citizenship so that they could vote for Tammany candidates in city and state elections. By 1854, all these factors had combined to make Tammany a political force of hegemonic proportions in New York City, conferring immense power on the society's bosses and allowing them to enrich themselves and their associates through corruption and administrative abuse. William M. "Boss" Tweed's infamously corrupt reign was nefarious enough to incite an attempt at reform in the early 1870s, but Tammany was consistently able to function in spite of such efforts and continued to direct the flow of money, patronage, and votes into the early 1930s. Ultimately, even Tammany was unable to escape from the drastic social and cultural changes brought on by the Great Depression, and in 1932 the machine suffered a dual setback when Mayor James Walker was forced from office and FDR was elected president. The New Deal helped alter the demographic landscape of New York by restricting immigration and making people less dependent on Tammany for jobs and assistance, while the election of Fiorello LaGuardia removed the City Hall from Tammany's immediate control."
http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/glossary/tammany-hall.cfm
Interesting history lesson, but this isn't a Dem/Rep issue. This is about the sports cabal trying to suck up every last dime of the taxpayers' money.
ReplyDeletePlease stay on topic, in case any outside government agency is reading this thread.
Elaine
Exactly why the history lesson is on topic.
ReplyDeleteWe have a "social group" the sports cabal sucking up every dime of taxpayers money. Doesn't matter if it is republican or democrat.
The result is the same an intense focus on sports facilities while infrastructure like storm water handling, roads and pedestrian safety go wanting.
Did not youth the various sports organization start out as just groups organizing kids baseball, football, soccer and lacrosse play.
ReplyDeleteNow they've turned into a political force that demands million dollar fields, controls public meeting agendas and directs municipal revenue from taxes and sign revenue into their domain.
My kids love to catch up on sports via ESPN and one of them noticed this little recap yesterday which highlighted "Turf Trouble" during the Texas A&M game against Rice. The anchor states "due to recent field renovations, the turf keeps coming up" as the video highlights field maintenance staff pounding the turf back into the ground.
ReplyDeletehttp://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=400548023
Didn't seem to be much of a problem since the game went on an Texas A&M won, 1:03.
ReplyDeleteAs opposed to that field in Westmoreland County where the washed out artificial turf rendered the field unplayable.
Good try though.
1:25 The field is malfunctioning during game time. Win or loss aside. I guess the field managers will be making phone calls and reading their warranty this week.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't add up, does it, 9:21 PM? Just as the PIO said in her email, "The purpose of this meeting it [sic] NOT to discuss the potential harmful effects of artificial turf..."
ReplyDeleteevidently, there was to be no discussion of GRASS either.
Elaine
I was able to locate the email address for Ms. Kira Heinrich here. It is kheinrich@pa.gov
ReplyDeleteInteresting how we will also see John Bendel's friend and co-member of the Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board listed.
If residents are interested in preserving the integrity of these ball fields, email Ms. Heinrich. I did all the work for anyone interested. Link to the historic fields post and letters to the Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation posts. In a town where people are concerned about brick roads, I would think there are many concerned about preserving these historical fields.
Elaine
I would think people concerned about the environment, polution, waterways would also be interested in preserving natural, oxygen producing grass fields over plastic, tirecrum littered artificial turf!
ReplyDeleteTonight is the Historic Preservation Board meeting. Still talking about bricks on the agenda. No mention of artificial turf. AGAIN.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mtlebanon.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2158
Elaine
Oh boy, am I messed up. The email address for Ms. Kira Heinrich is kiheinrich@pa.gov That is who Gateway contacted. She is the archaeological reviewer for the Western Region.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to contact the person who is the National Register Reviewer for the Western Region, that would be Keith Heinrich at kheinrich@pa.gov That is the email address I shared with Lebo Citizens readers.
Sorry for the mixup. I really need an assistant!
Elaine
10:31 AM Gateway contacted the commonwealth archaeological reviewer for the turf project ? Is there an ancient native American village or burial site under Wildcat. Or tools, pottery, arrowheads under the pitchers mound at Middle ? Maybe we should bring metal detectors and look for gold and silver trinkets.
ReplyDelete