The Parking Chair

Josephine Posti reports on her blog that "Students have been observing parking and walking restrictions." We did have a recommendation made by a Lebo Citizens blog reader for residents on Main Entrance.  They should resort to using "The Parking Chair." This would eliminate any "issues" concerning parking on side streets.



Photo by Jennifer Ciroli

I am not sure that is necessary [or legal], particularly since Jo Posti's relatives on Main Entrance said that everything was good in the 'hood when this all started.

While I was looking up some school policies, I stumbled upon this policy, Policy ECE TRAFFIC AND PARKING REGULATIONS. I advise parents to read this, especially those who use Hoover for football practice.

The speed limit for all vehicles on all school property, including parking lots, streets, roadways and play areas, is 15 miles per hour. No vehicles (other than District authorized vehicles) are permitted on tracks, ball fields, lawns or District property other than roadways and parking areas.

Just last week, a car was parked on the field. The person who observed this found it ironic since the sports groups complain about the condition of our fields.

Another point of interest is:

Student vehicles parked on District property are subject to search by the District and/or law enforcement authorities at any time for any reason, with or without notice. General and random searches (including canine sniff searches) are authorized. Students should have no expectation of privacy as to vehicles on District property. Parking is a privilege, not a right, and student parking permits will be issued only where students and/or parents consent to such searches. Refusal to cooperate in such searches may result in loss of parking privileges as well as disciplinary action.

This raises some questions in my mind. Are student vehicles subject to search by the District and/or law enforcement authorities at the Mt. Lebanon Lutheran Church or municipal parking, such as Dixon? Now that the students have to pay for parking, is it still a privilege? We still are not sure about the District's right to enforce anything on municipal parking lots, are we? Are they allowed to charge for student parking on municipal lots?

I recommend that the Policy Committee review Policy ECE after they cook the books, I mean, review the policies concerning "Purchasing Authority" and "Construction Contracts, Bidding and Awards."

Excuse me, but when did MTLSD take over the Municipality? UPDATED

From the Mt. Lebanon School District website: 

"Student parking is available in the Mt. Lebanon United Lutheran Church Parking Lot and Dixon Field Parking Lot on a first-come, first served basis until paid permits are required on September 10."

Excuse me, but I'll park at Dixon whenever I please and suggest the students do the same and do not pay for a permit. The district has no authority to enforce and collect fees from students or anyone else that choose to park in a municipal lot. Who will be issuing tickets and how will they know if I'm in the Rec Center, the park, or the tennis courts and not a student parking my car? If the commissioners have somehow transferred control of the Dixon lot to the school district, when did this occur?

While I am on the subject of student parking and traffic patterns at the high school, the Campus Traffic Map indicates that we must make an illegal left turn into the North lot.

August 27, 2012 2:00 PM: Through a RTK, here is the Amended Church Parking Agreement signed by Timothy Steinhauer and Mt. Lebanon United Lutheran Church, where Timothy Steinhauer is a member.

Traffic around the high school

As a Lebo Citizens reader mentioned, tomorrow will be a more accurate measuring stick in regard to the traffic around the high school.  In fact, according to the Commission Discussion Session Agenda, it will be the seventh item to be discussed at tomorrow evening's Commission Discussion Session.  I am curious to see what kind of a traffic jam will occur with students trying to make a left hand turn into the Lutheran Church parking lot tomorrow morning.  Crossing rush hour traffic can't be pretty. Is that portion of Washington Road considered a school crossing zone now?  Any additional signs added on Washington Road, or flashing lights alerting motorists that it is a school crossing zone and the speed reduced to 15 mph? I am still confused as to why there has never been a formal shared parking agreement about parking at the Dixon Field lot.  Speaking of shared, why does the District say that the parking is only available to students with valid student parking permits? Is that sharing?

Tomorrow's Commission Meeting might be the perfect time for students, parents, or any other residents to bring up their concerns over the traffic situation at the high school. Citizen Comments is always the first item on the agenda.  The meeting starts at 8:00 PM.  The sign up sheet for citizen comments will be on the table on the right hand side as you enter the room.  Tomorrow's Discussion Session will begin at 6:15, if you want to hear the Commissioners discuss the traffic situation around the high school.  There are no citizen comments at Discussion Sessions.