Turf Board Update on Monday

The Sports Advisory Board, a.k.a. Turf Board is giving a report on Monday during the Commission Discussion Session in Conference Room C, at the Municipal Building. They are listed as number 4 on the agenda.

The audio from the June 6, 2013 meeting is available here and here.  Since the video portion of the meeting was corrupted, I found out that Tim White and David Donnellan ran the meeting. The initial list of members can be found from my February 14, 2013 post Introducing Dave's New Sports Advisory Board UPDATED 4x followed by my February 23, 2013 post Sports Advisory Board Redux.

On Monday, the Turf Board will be making a presentation on, you guessed it - artificial turf. They will try to tell you that a vote was taken, but there wasn't a vote taken. There was a push for turf. When Joy Pajak, representing Women's Golf asked for some upgrades to the golf course, she was shot down by Guess Who because holes 4 and 5 were upgraded. Remember, the golf course brings in revenue. Also, keep in mind that Brafferton Field was changed into a multi use field including lacrosse. The YSA presentation concluded that there were no slots available for lacrosse and so the push for lights and artificial turf on Wildcat and Middle Fields. Listen to the SAB meeting where it was suggested that the municipality GIVE money to the school district for lighting and turfing Mellon Field.

Well, I just gave the whole presentation. That should shave off ten minutes from the Discussion Session, President Kluck.

Is this the end of Kossman project?

In today's Trib, Allegheny County backs financing plan for transit project, Castle Shannon voted unanimously to support a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) to develop the Castle Shannon T stop by Ice Castle. From a traffic standpoint, this would be a traffic nightmare for the Kossman property.

We were talking about developing the air rights over the Mt. Lebanon T stop. I wonder if this will affect our plans. I believe we're asleep at the switch. Castle Shannon is moving forward while we talk about turfing Mellon field and going after tax appeals.

Righteous Indignation: Excuse Me While I Save the World

One of my blog readers informed me that "Righteous Indignation: Excuse Me While I Save the World" by the late Andrew Breitbart is a must read. Breitbart, a self proclaimed Internet addict, was known to the world as a conservative blogger who was compelled to cover stories that the media wouldn't touch. He died in March at the young age of 43 of heart failure.

Breitbart believed that the left controlled the media and he wanted to take it back.  The Internet was his battlefield. Boy, can I relate. Here in Mt. Lebanon, we have mtl Magazine, inCommunity Mt. Lebanon, lebomag.com, and the Posti Gazette - both Center Court blog and the PG.  I want to do all I can to get the real story out there. Maybe it IS hate in my heart, but I am tired of being bullied in this community. Like Breitbart, I am an Internet addict. My epiphany was when the anesthesiologist had to take my iPad away from me before I went under the other day.

Like Breitbart, I get a rush when I can uncover the truth through sharing documentation with the community. I have to confess, I loved when "Batman" left those comments after I linked the sports groups' 990's. I am sorry, but I am tired of being pushed around. Now we have a special interest group led by our commission president, who feels that the unassigned fund should go to turfing a school district field. Yes, thanks to the high school boondoggle, the school district has a field shortage, but whose fault is that? It was the poor planning of our illustrious school board and Master Design Team. Following the logic, should the commission be responsible for building a rifle range and tennis courts too? Where does it end?

The Manager's Recommended Budget did not list turfing Mellon Field. Prior to the April 23, 2012 Capital Investment Hearing, the commission asked staff to put together a prioritized schedule of proposed capital expenditures. Those recommendations can be found here. I don't see Mellon Field listed in those recommendations. On page 54 of the Capital Improvement Program for 2012-2016, turfing Middle and Wildcat Fields is suggested as a solution to our field shortage by allowing for less stress on existing fields.  At the bottom of that page, note the last recommendation. In addition, similar improvements could be done at Mellon Field by the School District for an estimated cost of $1,120,640. Even an email from David Donnellan to the Parks Advisory Board (including the newest member of that board, Dave Franklin) and the Commission and Steve Feller https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9r_1biKte_bZFdUTDgxOHhxWGM has nothing listed for turfing Mellon Field in the Parks Advisory Board report.

Breitbart had a profound sense of right and wrong from a young age. In my mind, asking the municipality to correct a problem of the school district's own doing is wrong. The driving force is Youth Sports Alliance and our commission president;  the same people who have been referred to as NSF, deadbeat, and even the sports cartel. It is just wrong.

A closer look at fields

AGREEMENT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT ATHLETIC FIELDS

CONSIDERATION OF A JOINT MAINTENANCE

Mr. Brumfield said that on May 1, 1999, the School District, Municipality and Youth Sports Alliance entered into the first agreement to improve the quality of athletic fields owned by the School District. The joint agreement has been very successful, and all of the parties want the partnership to continue.

This new successor agreement has the following major provisions:

1. Term of two years beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2012.
2. The financial arrangements are the same as contained in the previous agreement. The School District pays Mt. Lebanon $83,300 per year for both infield renovation work and maintenance of the turf grass athletic fields. The Youth Sports Alliance contributes $30,000 each year to the School District for the services.
3. School District employees are responsible for weekly infield dragging, irrigation and facility maintenance. The School District is also responsible for all lawn mowing.

http://www.mtlebanon.org/archives/31/Approved%20Commission%20Minutes%205-10-10.pdf 

Podcast of May 10, 2010 Commission meeting Part 1
Podcast of May 10, 2010 Commission meeting Part 2


This does not include the artificial turf in the high school stadium. So let's talk about what this means. YSA is paying nothing for municipal fields. The School District is paying $83,300 per year for thirteen fields. That comes to $6407 per field (confirmed with municipal data), which does not include the cost of the District employees cutting the grass, weekly infield dragging, irrigation and facility maintenance which is another $4000 (est.) which comes to roughly $10,000 per field or $130,000 for School District fields. Using the same math for the five municipal fields, it is costing us roughly $180,000 for fields in Mt. Lebanon. According to the agreement, YSA is to be contributing $30,000 a year for School District fields only. It cannot be documented that they have been making this contribution.

Let's recap. We have McNeilly Field which we still owe all the money. We have YSA putting pressure on a commissioner, I mean, passionate to turf and light Mellon Field for $1 million, without any research done for the real costs. YSA is contributing nothing towards municipal fields. And the School District cannot confirm the $30,000 contribution from YSA. Oh my.

YSA 990 2008 Line 28 shows $3597 contributed towards agreement
YSA 990 2009 Line 28 shows $30,000 contributed towards agreement
YSA 990 2010 Line 28 shows $10,000 contributed towards agreement

Update May 2, 2012 9:15 AM
November 16, 2009 Board Summary Agreement voted unanimously by the School Board

Recreational sports groups in Mt. Lebanon had planned to donate money to help build community athletic fields on a parcel off McNeilly Road, but now they've learned just how much one municipal commissioner wants them to donate: $850,000.
David Humphreys at Monday's commission meeting told representatives from the Youth Sports Alliance and other sports groups that since the project cost is approaching $2.5 million, he wants the groups to pony up $850,000.
That would be half of the $1.7 million cost to do basic improvements to the 23-acre parcel.
Bruce Fisher, of the Youth Sports Alliance, and Art McAuley, of the Mt. Lebanon Soccer Foundation, said the alliance has just received the proper tax status to raise money. McAuley said his group could pledge $125,000 but couldn't commit to the full $850,000 now.
The groups are working with a fund-raising consultant and hope to have a plan soon.
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/townsouth-route-19-briefs-578029/


 In the July/August 2008 Mt. Lebanon Magazine, http://ebooks.mtlebanon.org/mtl/mtl-112008/pageflip.html page 9 Dave Donnellan said:
Field options being considered It’s never been easy scheduling youth sports on Mt. Lebanon’s limited number of fields. But in recent years, with enrollment in recreational and club sports on the rise and weather as unpredictable as ever, the problem is getting worse. In 2003, more than 500 kids played soc- cer through the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department. That number has steadily grown, and this year topped out at a whop- ping 1,201 for the spring and fall programs. That doesn’t even count the kids who play for the Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association, a private soccer group. Likewise, recreational T-ball grew from 70 kids in 2003 to 155 this summer.“Each spring and fall the youth sports as- sociations, the Youth Sports Alliance, the school district and the recreation department meet to determine the scheduled use of the fields in Mt. Lebanon. It is always a struggle to try to accommodate the needs of all the users,” says David Donnellan, Mt. Lebanon’s recreation director. “New fields and/or fields with artificial turf and lighting would help, not only to accommodate the growth in youth sports, but also would allow for taking fields out of service periodically so that they can recover and be properly maintained.”But what’s the best way to do that? In 2003, Mt. Lebanon municipality purchased 23 acres off McNeilly Road for $1.8 million in the hopes of turning it into ath- letic fields. Commissioners have held public meetings to gauge interest, but they have not continued on page 10 town topics Fast-tracking the revitalization of Mt. Lebanon’s commercial districts, and in particular the “Uptown” central business district, is the mission of Mt. Lebanon’s Economic Development Council (EDC) Task Force. Led by Commissioner Raja, the task force rep- resents various groups that have a stake in Uptown’s future. For the past several months, the task force has been meeting simultaneously with the EDC in public session at the municipal building at 7:30 a.m. on the last Friday of every month. There is a lot of brainstorming, as is typical when a group of energetic, creative people convenes. Some ideas are huge undertakings that could come to fruition in the long run; some may be pipe dreams. But other ideas have actually become plans that can be ac- complished over the short term. Here is an overview of things that have taken place or are in the works. continued page 8 More than 760 kids, preschool through second grade, signed up for soccer programs through the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department this fall. The fields get heavy use and parking is often insufficient. Commissioners are looking at several proposals that would either increase the number of fields or extend the amount of time they can be used by installing artificial turf and lights. 




Update 9:29 AM

In Posti's own words, http://jposti.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html
Then: "both parties sharing the cost" Now: Municipality only
Then: "whether a $1 million cost is justifiable" Now: It's justifiable if the municipality pays all costs
Then: "concerned about the environmental impact of artificial turf" Now: Turf away!
Then: Posti wanted an overview of conditions and maintenance costs Now: Who cares?

Read the text cut from the webpage via above URL link:
During Mr. Silhol's Joint Steering Committee report tonight, he described a meeting he, Mr. Allison and Ms. Stipanovich recently had with two commissioners and Mr. Feller to discuss the option that would include installing artificial turf at Mellon as well as Wildcat. This option is obviously one that would need to be considered jointly between the Municipality and the District with both parties sharing the cost.

This evening was the first time we discussed whether we as a board are interested in exploring this option. Some of the concerns I and other board members voiced included the fact that we've recently completed work on Mellon Field to improve drainage as well as whether a $1 million cost is justifiable in light of the high school project and our current economic situation. One of my biggest concerns with this project is that while the Municipality has done their own analysis of their existing fields, undeveloped land and District-owned properties that can be better utilized, we as a District have not yet done an analysis of our own field priorities. In order to understand where installation of turf on Mellon fits into the District's priorities, I would like to see an overview of all of the District's field conditions and what the short and long-term maintenance conditions may be. This is an issue that I raised last month when we approved an unscheduled capital expenditure for Jefferson Field. Mrs. Cappucci also requested a breakdown of how the fields are used - scholastic vs. recreation vs, club sports on each field.

Another concern I shared was the environmental impact of installing artificial turf on these fields - something I believe we're obligated to consider. With our joint participation with the Municipality in the Cool Cities initiative, we do need to give joint consideration to environmental issues that impact the community.

I'm looking forward to learning more about how this project being considered by the Municipality fits into the District's priorities. I do believe that both bodies value the importance of youth sports in our community and I think that there are those among us who would like to find funds to enhance and improve our available options but we also need to address and prioritize the needs within each of our individual taxing bodies while working jointly to find solutions that make sense to a constituency that we both share.

Update 9:37 AM  Happy Birthday, Josephine. Thank you for praying for me.

Update 3:59 PM MLSA 2008 990
                           MLSA 2009 990
                           MLSA 2010 990

Update 4:51 PM 2010 Mt. Lebanon Demographics from US Census

Update 5:01 PM MLLA 2008 990
                           MLLA 2009 990
                           MLLA 2010 990

Update 5:52 PM MLBA 2007 990
                           MLBA 2008 990
                           MLBA 2009 990 
                           MLBA 2010 not on file

If Mellon had lights and turf...

Kids wouldn't know that even the Pirates' night games get rained out.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/pirates/pirates-rained-out-tonight-at-pnc-park-632752/

It would benefit businesses along Washington Road. The coaches can take the kids for a beer at The Saloon. How about a little sushi at Little Tokyo? Pizza at Il Pizzaiolo? Sure, kids would be willing to wait for pizza. Mineo's? Would Dinardo's Candy still be open? Maybe the new ice cream shop. Or would they walk down to Rollier's for a Gatorade? They could pick up that bird bath they needed while they were there.

The homes and condos would have something to complain about with the lights shining in their windows.

Mellon would be a showcase field. The apartments behind it would be the only ones to have a great view, however.

The same people who cost us that huge athletic wing at the high school and got the turf at Mellon would be able to start asking for Jefferson to be turfed. Then all the elementary schools. Think how much use they could get out of those "Save Our School" signs.

We could build on the rock pile for that indoor practice facility at the tune of what $20 million?

Imagine how blogs would have nothing to talk about except maybe helping to find missing persons or some other way for the community to work together.

"Some common sense opposition"

At the March 12 school board meeting, Josephine Posti presented the last agenda item, "Field Use," as a proposal from the Commission to turf and light a middle school's field.

That lead to my latest poll, "SHOULD THE COMMISSIONERS SPEND MUNICIPAL DOLLARS ON MTLSD ASSETS?"

It turns out that there is "some common sense opposition" to Dave Brumfield's idea to turf and light a middle school field.

Kelly Fraasch, Ward 5 Commissioner, asked Gateway Engineers' Dan Deiseroth to put together a review of municipal field alternatives. The review has been posted on the municipal website here.

Kelly has put together a breakdown of the presentation with an explanation.  

Update March 21, 2012 11:15 AM
I didn't know how to add a photo in the comments section, so this is in response to Albert Brennaman's comment about freezing out Mrs. Fraasch.  Look at the body language of the woman "without baggage," Albert.

 

New poll

I was reminded of this Blog-Lebo post, April 13, 2009 An Ultimatum from Some Athletic Supporters. A follow up post from Mike Madison has links to responses. Summary of School Board Candidates' Positions on Lebo Athletic Facilities

9. Would you support financially a collaborative project with the municipality regarding immediately turfing the field at Mellon in preparation for the High School renovation project?

Here we are three years later, and still getting pressure from the sport groups. With that in mind, I started a new poll. Please take a moment and vote.

Field of Dreams

Hmmm.  When was the Joint Steering/Discussion/Leadership meeting? February 28? We have now gone from Dave Brumfield's idea of turfing and lighting a middle school's field to Josephine Posti's last item, "Field Use" on the March 12 school board meeting agenda, as a proposal from the Commission. How did that happen?
I went back to read the 2012 Manager's Recommended Budget. There are 299 service level rankings. Each "decision package" is listed in order of importance to municipal operations. Steve Feller provides an excellent explanation to his zero base budgeting.  I do not see anything listed for improving District fields. What is interesting to see is what a million plus dollars (cost of lighting and turfing a District field) buys in the municipal budget. The Commission determines the level of service. If a service level is listed as a "1" on the service level rankings, as I understand it, it is considered to be basic service. If a decision package is listed as a S/L 3, then it includes Levels 1, 2, and 3.
On pages 14-19 of the 2012 Manager's Recommended Budget, list the 299 service level rankings. There is a line under number 166, Forestry. Anything above the line is funded.  Anything below the line is not. I believe that means that 133 items did not make the suggested budget.  To put it simply, those items were sacrificed and yet the "Commission" is proposing that they turf and light Mellon or Jefferson field.
Sooo, how is turfing and lighting a District field benefitting the community, Josephine and Dave?  Ding, ding, ding.  That round went to the District.

Taking a Leap...Backwards

Today is February 29.  Leap year. But what I heard last night at the Joint Leadership meeting, I think the commission president is suggesting taking a leap backwards. At the end of the podcast, Dave Brumfield defends his stand to helping the District.  It would be saving taxpayers' dollars, in his mind. In my December 10, 2011 post, I thanked Dan Miller for his efforts to put together a series of financial reforms to get a balanced budget.  Listening to all the budget hearings discussions about service levels in all the departments, cuts in services, or raising taxes to avoid relying on the undesignated funds in hindsight, seems like a waste of time now. Last night, Dave Brumfield was more interested in turfing and lighting a District ball field on the Municipality's dime.

What happened to the discussions about raising taxes or cutting services? I hope to be doing something more exciting than this on the next February 29. "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger," according to Kelly Clarkson.  Well, this is killing me.

Joint Discussion Meeting

I strongly urge everyone to listen to tonight's podcast.  Some of the highlights are:

• Dave Brumfield brought up the advantages of a Guaranteed Energy Savings Bond
• Elaine Cappucci and Josephine Posti asked to have the high school project permit fees waived
• The School District would like more parking spaces for the teachers at Mellon and Washington
• Dave Brumfield asked if the School District would be willing to buy recycling buckets for battery disposal at the cost of $79 per bucket. The $79 fee includes postage to the recycling site.
• Dave Brumfield said that the Municipality would like to spend $1 million to turf and light either Jefferson or Mellon Field. The good news is that if it is at Mellon, more parking spaces would open up for the teachers.
• The School District needs storage facilities for three semi tractor trailers for the theatre department during the high school renovation.
• Listen to Elaine Cappucci and Josephine Posti get upset when I comment at the end, "If tonight was a boxing match, the School District is the clear winner."

Here is a link to tonight's meeting.  http://www.lebocitizens.com/Lebo_Citizens/Podcasts/Entries/2012/2/28_Joint_Leadership_Meeting.html