Money talks UPDATED

I am very lucky to say that I am surrounded by wonderful neighbors. These young parents are carrying on the tradition of spending every evening, weather permitting, in Rockwood Park. They are also stepping up to the plate to make Rockwood Park a safer place. A group went to the commission meeting the other night and witnessed our commissioner, along with the rest of the commissioners vote against the sole bid to make the upper lot of Rockwood Park a safer place. 

Manager Keith McGill was quoted in The Almanac article Mt. Lebanon commissioners reject bids for parks, history center 

“Even prior to tonight’s meeting, our police department has been paying a little bit more extra attention to that area of Rockwood Park,” said municipal manager Keith McGill. “The idea was to eliminate that upper parking area and green it over to address some of the issues. However, the lone bid we received came over twice the estimated cost established by our engineer. We only had one bidder that responded, so it’s more prudent for us to take a step back.” 

McGill acknowledged that the reason for the low interest in bidding was possibly attributable to the timing of when bids were sent out, during which many contractors already have scheduled their upcoming workload, along with other factors.

What this third generation of Rockwood Park parents may not understand is that Gateway Engineering, our municipal engineers, has the power to make or break any project in Mt. Lebanon. They control the solicitation of bids. This project was approved back in December with the new budget. But Gateway only contacts contractors who they believe would be interested in the jobs. Why did they wait so long to solicit bids?  Why can't our Public Works do the job? It wouldn't be the first time that Public Works would be used in Rockwood Park, in order to save money.

Granted, there is so much money available. But Commissioner McLean has already committed to bringing back White Buffalo to kill what few deer are left, even though archers would do it for free. What did we spend last year on killing deer? $100,000? Not to mention the cost of police enforcement on the streets, in the courts, and behind their desks. All in the name of public safety. But there isn't enough money available to correct a public safety issue that has been going on for generations.

It all depends on who is asking. In Mt. Lebanon, money talks. Rockwood is right at the Castle Shannon border. Had this been an issue in Ward 1, we would have been taken more seriously.

For example, Ward 1 commissioner John Bendel is pushing for bricks again. Continued in The Almanac article:

Also during the June 27 meeting, several residents complimented commissioners for deferring a project that would have replaced bricks on Morrison Drive with asphalt.

Residents expressed concern about how a smoother street might encourage speeding. They also are worried about the decrease in property values and overall allure that brick streets provide. 

The commissioners are focusing on replacing other streets in the municipality while attempting to formulate a policy regarding brick streets. 

“When we come up with our policy, those concerns brought up will be the main part of it,” Commissioner John Bendel said. “The reasons to keep the brick are the charm, the aesthetic value and the value it provides to their properties. It also slows down traffic because it’s an uneven surface. 

“The other side of the story is cost,” he continued. “It’s expensive up front to put brick in vs. asphalt, where it can be two to four times more expensive. The question is, do you get that back over the long term.” 

As a temporary measure, patches of asphalt will be used so that the street remains drivable.

This is nothing new. Two years ago, we went through this with Rae Drive, also in Ward 1.
Mt. Lebanon residents opposed to loss of brick roads What about Castle Shannon Blvd.? That road lost out to asphalt. Are people speeding more? Did property values drop on Castle Shannon? Does Ward 1 seem to think they are entitled to special treatment? Or is it just Bendel who is creating the fuss? John, are you willing to give up deer killing in order to have enough money to keep your bricked roads? Oh wait. We're in court with Scott Township because you want to kill deer in Twin Hills, also in your ward. There is so much money. Maybe you can save some for those of us living in the ghetto.

Update June 29, 2016 6:24 PM Sent to the commissioners:

Commissioners,

I wanted to remind you about the Mt. Lebanon Parks Master Plan, prepared and presented in March 2004.  http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/16.
Read about the condition of Rockwood Park starting on page 42 of 114. We did get new playground equipment since 2004. Read what the recommendations are for the upper lot and basketball court. From 2004.

Elaine Gillen

*****

Note the process that was used with the formulation of this plan.

Process and Goals The process that was used to create this Master Plan was intended to be open and accessible to residents. There was a series of public meetings designed to generate discussion, comments and guidelines for the design plans. Focus groups and interviews were conducted, which allowed for in-depth discussion on specific topics. Preliminary drawings were available on Mt. Lebanon's web site, and people were encouraged to directly contact LaQuatra Bonci Associates. The master planning process was guided by the Steering Committee, which was composed of the Commissioners and several members of the Municipal staff.

My husband and I were involved in the process. We had been trying to get these issues resolved for years prior to the Plan. Check out the Acknowledgments in the Plan.

Keith McGill and Susan Fleming-Stroyd-Morgans were on the steering committee. They should know all about this plan and the work that is desperately needed to make Rockwood Park safe. A temporary solution is to step up police presence and to initiate daily cleanups by Public Works. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just get the work done, Folks? But what do I know? We've only been at this since the 80's.

Deteriorating parking lot in 2004…deteriorating parking lot in 2016.

Update July 1, 2016 6:20 PM Save our brick streets, some Mt. Lebanon residents say

Another sham of a meeting taking place now UPDATED

I missed this article from yesterday's Trib. Mt. Lebanon to address pedestrian safety

The panel will include management analyst John Stinner; Thomas Klevan, manager of multimodal planning for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, which handles regional planning, prioritization and funding of transportation projects; Bike Pittsburgh advocacy director Eric Boer; PennDOT traffic engineer Phil Mutunga; Lt. Duane Fisher of the Mt. Lebanon Police traffic division; and Michael Haberman, traffic engineer for Gateway Engineers.

I cannot believe they are including John Stinner on the pedestrian safety meeting. He is Steve Feller's INTERN from NEBRASKA. I guarantee he doesn’t know a thing about pedestrians. Haberman is a sham, too! He is the one who admitted speeding up and down N. Meadowcroft just “see how fast he could go” -and he doubted anyone could go too fast. That was before the average speed of drivers on Washington Road study was publicized.

The commission work session is going on right now. sigh.

Update July 28, 2015 10:33 AM I'm convinced that my commissioner is as crazy as the one she replaced. Here is what Matt Santoni tweeted last night during the meeting:

#MtLebo commission consensus seems to emphasize educating pedestrians & drivers; seeking more resources for @MtLebanonPolice enforcement


Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 13h13 hours ago
Traffic engineer Mike Haberman to #MtLebo: all traffic-calming measures (bump-outs, speed humps) should increase driver awareness.

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 14h14 hours ago
Fisher recommends #MtLebo pass an ordinance allowing cops to cite ppl who cross against signals or outside crosswalks. Not common in suburbs

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 14h14 hours ago
Fisher says many pedestrians at fault in crashes- distracted, not obeying signs, jaywalking. Up to 65% at fault in #MtLebo crashes.

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 14h14 hours ago
@MtLebanonPolice Lt Fisher: citations steady at ~4100/yr; crashes ~600/yr, between 10-18 pedestrians hit per year b/t 2010-2014

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 14h14 hours ago
@MtLebanonPolice Lt Fisher: "U-shaped" relationship b/t speed & crashes; more crash @ higher & lower speeds (distracted more @ lower speed)

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 15h15 hours ago
Timeline could have been issue with seeking grant $; self-funding could make 3-yr process a 3-mo process, #mtlebo traffic engineer says.

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 15h15 hours ago
#MtLebo commissioner @KellyFraasch says it took years to get @PennDOTNews to fix up mid block crosswalk on Washington Rd.

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 15h15 hours ago
Boer: @BikePGH working to create local bike-ped committees; could look at one in #MtLebo.

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 16h16 hours ago
Now Eric Boer of @BikePGH talking to #MtLebo about safe biking practices. Largest cohort of mbrs outside PGH live in S. Hills.

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 16h16 hours ago
Tom Klevan of SPC talks about all the funding srcs available to #MtLebo that could go to pedestrian or bike projects, incl. TAP, CMAQ

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 16h16 hours ago
Stinner: #MtLebo educates kids well but not adults. Has TV station, @mtlmagazine, biz district advertising it can use to do outreach.

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 16h16 hours ago
#MtLebo commissioner Vuono concerned about more signs for pedestrians, says having too many is distracting drivers already.

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 16h16 hours ago
Analyst John Stinner notes high incidence of jaywalking in #MtLebo, no signs warning against it or penalties for it.

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 16h16 hours ago
OC uses mascots, sign carriers, PSAs, posters & stuff at local biz like coasters to encourage safe walking during summer tourist swarms.

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 16h16 hours ago
Looking @ best practices like NYC's Vision Zero goal of no traffic fatalities, Ocean City Md's "walk smart" initiative.

Matthew Santoni ‏@msantoni 16h16 hours ago
At #MtLebo mtg on traffic/ped safety, consultant says there were 82 ped/bike v car crashes in Lebo since 2010.

Update July 28, 2015 6:41 PM Mt. Lebanon commissioners look to improve traffic safety

Mt. Lebanon Flower Bed Installation Project UPDATED

The Mt. Lebanon Flower Bed Installation Project was not advertised but Gateway sent out bid requests to seven firms and five firms responded. Attached is a copy of the bid tabulation form and the purchase order.

Fourteen flower beds are being planted by Littles Landscaping out of McDonald, PA for the amount of $36,895.88. Gateway's fees were not included in the cost of this project. I am hoping that deer resistant plants were used this year, another recommendation made by Sandy Baker. The biggest deer salad bars, she noted, were planted by the municipality. Deer would cross roads to get to these gardens contributing to deer/vehicular accidents.

Update May 27, 2015 4:20 PM The bid tabulation form was difficult to read. This copy is easier to read.

About those non-municipal funds...

To bring any new Lebo Citizen readers up to speed, Mt. Lebanon commissioners made an agreement with the Sports Advisory Board concerning the funding of the toxic turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields. 75% municipal funds and 25% non-municipal funds. The financial proposal was never put in writing in any commission minutes. It was stated in the mtl Magazine article, field fundraising underway, that the non-municipal share would be $250,000, not 25% of the project as originally proposed. Donations were held by the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment for a small fee. The identity of the donors were never made public.

Earlier this week, Mayor Peduto came under fire when anonymous donations were made on a recent episode of "Undercover Boss."  'Boss' gifts to Pittsburgh employees from Peduto raise questions

“They should disclose the donors to reassure the public that (donors) won't end up getting grants and contracts based on their benevolence.

We know that Gateway Engineers made out well by donating at least $4,000 to the turf project. That's for another post. Stay tuned.

Peduto promises to disclose identities of "Undercover Boss" donors 

Barry Kauffman, executive director of Pennsylvania Common Cause, said Peduto is obligated to share the information in the interest of transparency. Even though the money is coming from private donors, it's being funneled through a public agency.

Lebo Citizen readers were made aware of missing Mt. Lebanon sports organizations' 990's in these posts about 990s.  I called for better transparency. I see that I am not alone. Watchdogs call for better transparency of nonprofits' IRS filings 

So, President Elect John Bendel and Sports Advisory Board commission liaison, when are you going to share the information in the interest of transparency?

Keep these in mind for Saturday UPDATED again

What a monumental task! Going through a list of Google Docs, I have tried to list significant documents obtained either through Right To Knows at various government levels or emails. I hope it is helpful for those attending Saturday's Anti-Turf Project Protest.

*November 19, 2013, Linfante announces to a turf supporter that it will pass with 3 votes
and again here 3 votes plus White going after Fraasch again

Nobody wants organic infill according to Deiseroth

Gateway donates to turf project

White mocks ESB and "diffuse Kelly F"

Linfante battles with Fraasch

Linfante/Hrabovsky and igniting/ignoring

Darren Gill, VP of FieldTurf contacts Elaine Gillen

Technical deficiencies, including proposed zinc treatment system, identified by the Allegheny County Conservation District

Franklin's research papers including 2009 Ridgewood Park, NJ study ---> April 2011 Ridgewood repairs turf after flooding  ---> August 2014 Ridgewood repairs artificial turf fields after costly flooding

Deiseroth requests infill with the least amount of lead

Franklin "rain on the organic parade"

Turf Project Task Force Presentation Spin Initial contributions and annual contributions

Deiseroth not billing us for his time spent fundraising

Addresses for April 24, 2014 "neighborhood meeting about the turf project"

McGill no Planning Board recommendation required for turf project

*Parks Advisory Board pushes back

* Environmental Sustainability Board's statement to the Commission concerning artificial turf and an audio montage of Linfante lying about the ESB's position on artificial turf

Fundraising updates, ESB reviews, Planning Board review - none occurred

McNitt "neutral third party to the project"

Bendel vetting McNitt

McNitt fee Not from Penn State, but from his own business

Morgans instructs McNitt - don't discuss potential harmful effects of artificial turf

ESB NOT cosponsoring McNitt presentation

McNitt's rehearsed answers for Q and A before presentation

Turf donation checks including $50,000 from Mt. Lebanon Baseball and $50,000 from Mt. Lebanon Soccer Gateway and other corporate donors are not identified by the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment.

Silverman's economic plan

Deiseroth's future turf replacement cost estimate based on 108,000 sq. ft.

Evans misrepresenting himself to GeoTurf, Silverman contacted about hazardous materials in turf, Franklin berating Fraasch, Notes from initial Turf Project Task Force meeting

Application for NPDES Permit

Post Construction Stormwater Management Report

Department of Environmental Protection Responses and authorizing NPDES permit

Almanac Commissioners hear flooding and financial concerns

It never floods. Cedar Blvd. Closed due to Flooding

Fraasch on artificial turf

Update November 3, 2014 3:19 PM In addition to the videos that Albert Turfstein provided, please view the October 3, 2013 Sports Advisory Board Meeting. Click on Turf Project and watch Tim White say, "Mr. Bendel pissed away all the money we had."

*added at 9:51 PM 

Update November 4, 2014 12:56 PM The Sports Advisory Board Meeting Agenda is available here. Comments are limited to five minutes. They are allocating ten minutes for Citizen Comments.

Update November 7, 2014 5:43 PM The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the Middle and Wildcat Fields artificial turf project 

They added the parking lot!!!!!!

A Lebo Citizens reader emailed me these photos, along with this note.

Thought you might be interested to know someone sneakily dropped an envelope off at my doorstep within the past hour containing the below 2 page document. Notice the project area now includes the parking lot.

Here is a copy of the Notice of Intent (NOI) also known as the NPDES permit application.

Also, a copy of the Post Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSM) is here.

Is Lebo in deep doo-doo? UPDATED

Update October 8, 2014 A Lebo Citizens reader saw a promo indicating that Channel 11 or NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams is doing a story on the dangers of turf fields at either 5 or 6 p.m. today.

I never knew what a NPDES permit was until the four commissioners voted to artificially turf two fields in a flood-prone area on Cedar Blvd. For those unaware of this permit, it stands for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. According to The NPDES Permit System website, the Federal Clean Water Act and the Pennsylvania Clean Streams law requires wastewater dischargers to have a permit establishing pollution limits, and specifying monitoring and reporting requirements. A Post Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) Report, which deals with erosion and sedimentation, must also be filed with the Allegheny County Conservation District when submitting a NPDES application. Thinking about the new swimming pool, I emailed Steve Feller and asked him about the NPDES permit and PCSM Report for that project. Through a Right To Know, here is his response. "There is no PCSM report for the Swim Center as the disturbed area was less than an acre."

The Mt. Lebanon Pool disturbed area totals more than 1.5 acres. See section E in the link? That section connects the pool to the fields on Cedar. 

Looking down to the field

The Shadow Knows

See 12/16/13 Update. 

• Began installation of storm water piping at the bottom of the slope

But wait. There's more.

From the Mt. Lebanon website, Mt. Lebanon installed a new gas line which went all the way to Cedar Blvd. The disturbed area for the gas line was not included in the 1.5+ acres calculation.

During Citizen Comments, I asked for a report concerning the meeting between Gateway and the DEP. There is no report, I was told. Of course there is no report, Kristen. You're not going to get one. The stormwater pipe connecting the pool to the fields was on the DEP's agenda to discuss with Gateway! Dan will never admit that he screwed up. This area was clearly marked on the bid documents that I bought. 

The DEP has already told you that you are not adequately filtering the toxic run-off. It isn't safe enough for our streams. I can't imagine what it is doing to our children. 

Insert handy comment template asking for resignations here.

	CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews)
10/1/14, 6:48 PM Today top women soccer players sued FIFA for gender discrimination over changing playing fields to artificial turf. @elainequijano explains

Sorry, but I had to walk out of Citizen Comments UPDATED 2X

What is the expression?
"This is bullshit and I am going home. I'm too old for this."
                                                         -T. Kelley

Boy, can I relate, Tom. Only thing is that I am a taxpayer and volunteer.

Here are my comments, and I will put up the commissioners' and manager's responses once I calm down.

There are four points I would like to make. So that I don't run out of time, I would like to read through them, and will wait for a response to all four points.

1. Some clarification please. We have been told on numerous occasions that if we have a question within the municipality, we should contact the PIO for information. I'm finding that is not the case when I needed assistance with the Brewfest poster. I never received any kind of acknowledgement or assistance from the Public Information Office. Should I be contacting my non-responsive commissioners, our municipal manager who has his hands full with RTKs or keep trying to contact the PIO?

2. I want to comment on Mt. Lebanon Advisory Boards.
I had contacted the Historic Preservation on several occasions concerning the historic Wildcat Field and the turf project. I received this response from Bill Callahan on 7:31.14

"As much as is possible, I separate my professional duties from my volunteer position on the HPB. My role as a member of that Board is, to the best of my abilities and within a volunteer framework, to provide technical expertise and, hopefully, the benefit of over 25 years’ experience in the field."

Fast forward to the August 18, 2014 Mt. Leb. Historic Preservation Board
Meeting. On page two of the Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board minutes under Staff Liaison Report:

Susan Morgans reported that the permit application that
would allow construction on the turf project has been “lost,” somewhere between the DEP and the PA Historical And Museum Commission. The PHMC needs to comment on the permit for any construction involving federal or state funds in areas that could be eligible for National Register Status. He noted that when and if his office receives the application, there should be no problem—the park contains non-conforming resources and there would be no impact on any historic structures. He is working with the municipality and the DEP to identify what is holding things up.

"He" being Bill Callahan, PHMC Community Preservation Coordinator for the Western Region and Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board member is using his connections on the PHMC to push through the Wildcat Field Turf Project.

On Page 10 of National Register of Historic Places , Main Park is considered a contributing site to the Mt. Lebanon Historic District.
The park itself, which features ball fields, playgrounds, and basketball and tennis courts, is considered a contributing site, but the recreation center, tennis center, and current pool house that have been built within the park after the period of significance are considered non-contributing buildings.

I am asking for Mr. Callahan's resignation because he does NOT separate his professional duties from his volunteer position. He will be using his position to push through the turf project for ballfields that are clearly contributing sites in the Mt. Lebanon Historic District.

I'm also asking for the chair of the ESB to resign. Through a RTK, she made some disturbing statements to our commission president about me, including dealing with me by setting me on fire.

3. I would like to get a detailed report of the meeting that occurred on Friday between Gateway and the DEP and ACCD.

4. During the discussion of PAYT, Promotion of sustainability
how does artificially turfing two ball fields promote sustainability, Kristen?

Brief responses:
1. Steve Feller said that I can address any problems that I have with the PIO with him.

2. No resignations. Kristen denied hearing anything about igniting me. I am always asking for resignations from people I do not agree with. ESB comment must have been a "typo."

3. No report was given to them, so no report will be given tonight. I doubt the commission even knew that Gateway was called to the DEP.

4. I ran out of time, so Kristen, I was corrected and need to address her as Commissioner Linfante, did not answer and reminded me more than once that I was out of time.

I am so sick of the crap that is being dealt out of that municipal building. I have posted the Right To Know where Kathy Hrabovsky joked about igniting. No apology. Nothing. We have a member on the Historic Preservation Board who will push his personal agenda, at Mt. Lebanon's expense. Susan Morgans can continue to be the municipal diva who can sit on my recorder TWICE, ignore my emails, sarcastically tell a junior commissioner candidate that I am "the keeper of the door" when I was trying to explain that the interview process had begun. The commission president can allow those to finish their statements, if they are in favor of deer culling, but interrupts me and anyone else who disagrees with her. What has my hometown become?

Sorry, Folks. I had to walk out.


Update September 23, 2014 7:18 PM Mt. Lebanon officials waver on pay-per-throw trash (Saved in Google Docs)

Update September 25, 2014 7:57 AM So now what? I contacted Manager Steve Feller and never heard back. Don't miss the solution offered by "Commissioner Linfante."

Public Information Office on Instagram

Another typo? UPDATED

Weren't we told that the artificial turf would help with stormwater runoff? The grass fields are comparable to eight inches of cement, so we were told. According to today's Trib article, Mt. Lebanon's artificial turf plan hits a snag "the runoff from the turf, while higher than it would be if the fields remained grass, would go through a treatment system and would carry fewer pollutants from grass fertilizer than before." On page 169 of Gateway's response, "The project will improve the drainage issues." As a Lebo Citizens reader wrote to me privately, "Since the main selling point of the turf was that it would allow the kids to play games in the rain, knowing that the runoff needs to go through a treatment system before it enters the sewage system tells me we probably should not let our kids slosh around in it before it is 'treated'. But hey, when Cedar floods up to our neck (instead of to our waist as it would now) I guess we can be reassured that at least it went through the filter."

So which way is it, Gateway? Runoff will be less or will it be higher? Is this another typo?

Not so fast about changing to turf not subtracting from any historic value, Folks. Gateway's letter to the PHMC: 

The note to the Historical and Museum Commission said that while Mt. Lebanon's park overall contributed to the community's historic nature, the rec center, pool and concessions buildings surrounding the fields were all more modern and therefore the change to turf wouldn't subtract from any historic value.

On Page 10 of National Register of Historic Places, Main Park is considered a contributing site to the Mt. Lebanon Historic District.

The Mt. Lebanon Historic District also contains three substantial greenspaces within its boundary. The northernmost is the 76-acre Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, which was established in 1874 and includes a late nineteenth century caretaker’s house as part of its property (Photograph 34)... Main Park, a 51-acre park located off Cedar Boulevard, was already established during the period of significance though the original bath house and swimming pool that were formerly located at the center of the park are no longer extant. The park itself, which features ball fields, playgrounds, and basketball and tennis courts, is considered a contributing site, but the recreation center, tennis center, and current pool house that have been built within the park after the period of significance are considered non-contributing buildings.

I contacted The Historical Society of Mount Lebanon, who shared some wonderful articles about the history of Wildcat Field. If you are a native Pittsburgher, you will recognize the name, Bob Prince a.k.a. The Gunner, announcer of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He organized The Wildcats team. 

See if you recognize any names in the December 1946 issue of Huddle Magazine. Another fun article about The Mt. Lebanon Wildcats is here. Read about the coaching staff. I love this photo:

                                                                                  Courtesy: The Historical Society of Mount Lebanon Archives

Is this another typo, Gateway? Could it be that the National Register of Historic Places is correct after all? The ball fields are a contributing site.


Update September 18, 2014 9:17 AM John Bendel, commission liaison to the Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board, as well as other commissioners and members of the Sports Advisory Board are trying to sell the naming rights for Wildcat Field. August 25, 2014 Discussion Session Agenda Anything for a buck in Mt. Lebanon.  Oops, that word makes Kristen nervous. Sorry. A dollar.

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.

*Large document

Where's Gateway?

Below is the "Account Detail Report from 04/01/14 to 07/31/14. " Why is the reporting period from April 1 to July 31? Gateway donated in 2013. How can a report be postdated? What is the final check reference number?

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Stephen Feller" <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
Date: Jul 10, 2014 12:06 PM
Subject: Fwd: Wildcat Middle Field
To: "Commission" <commission@mtlebanon.org>, "David P. Franklin"<XXXXXXX>, "Audrey Bode" <abode@mtlebanonendowment.org>
Cc: "David Donnellan" <ddonnellan@mtlebanon.org>, "Dan Deiseroth" <ddeiseroth@gatewayengineers.com>, "Andrew McCreery" <amccreery@mtlebanon.org>

Please be advised that as of today we have received $255,733.73 from non-municipal sources for the Wildcat/Middle Field turf project. Attached is the Account Detail Report from the Finance Department. 

We appreciate the hard work of everyone involved in this effort. 

A little lead is OK...UPDATED

I just received Addendum #3 from Gateway Engineers. The "safe"lead limits in the specifications are:


1. Changes to specifications:

1.1. Changes to Specification Section 02900- Artificial Turf, Section 1.4 Quality Assurance,

Item C. Lead and other metals. REQUIRED PRIOR WITH MATERIAL

SUBMISSIONS: Add 1. Lead content in synthetic turf fibers must be less than 8 ppm.


1.2. Changes to Specification Section 02900- Artificial Turf, Section 1.4 Quality Assurance,

Item C. Lead and other metals. REQUIRED PRIOR WITH MATERIAL

SUBMISSIONS: Add 2. Lead content in rubber infill must be less than 50 ppm.

2. Clarifications:

2.1. The synthetic turf materials are to be tested prior to delivery to the site and must contain less than 8 ppm of lead for fibers and less than 50 ppm of lead for crumb rubber. This limit falls well within the ASTM, EPA, and CDC threshold for lead levels.

Note to Commission and Municipal Staff: THERE ARE NO SAFE LEAD LEVELS

Update June 19, 2014 7:59 AM: The following editorial appeared in The Almanac on June 18, 2014. Keep Mt. Lebanon's field turf natural

Published Jun 18, 2014 at 6:34 am (Updated Jun 17, 2014 at 11:04 am)

I n November 2013, Mt. Lebanon commissioners approved a conceptual plan for the natural grass turf on Mt. Lebanon Park’s Middle and Wildcat fields to be replaced with artificial turf. The price tag is estimated at a cool $1 million, $750,000 of which would come from the municipality’s unassigned fund balance and the remaining $250,000 to be raised from private donations – ergo, this project should not result in a tax increase.

For months, a literal turf war has been going on in Mt. Lebanon, with those who oppose the project mainly concerned about safety. A recent meeting featured turf experts who were on hand to educate the public and answer their questions – questions that were not permitted to be asked vocally, rather, that were written on cards for the experts to address at the end of the meeting.

Chemicals in the crumb rubber turf – including alcohols, acids, ketones, esters, lactones and sulfur, to name a few – are one concern, while potential injuries from the harder surface are another.

The environmental impact is yet another issue that residents have been worried about from the time that the project was announced – they are concerned about the potential for flooding due to the removal of natural soil, and pollution from that runoff ending up in local streams. In early May, Dr. Tracy Bank, a geologist, told Mt. Lebanon commissioners that artificial turf cannot match environmental benefits of natural grass. “(Turf manufacturers) are basically strip mining the ground,” she said.

Truly, Mt. Lebanon Commissioner Kelly Fraasch, the lone commissioner opposed to the project, hit the nail on the head when she said that “Artificial turf is an issue that’s evolving, with potential health concerns for children, pregnant mothers and adults. We can’t look back at years of use and say it’s safe because everyone is using it. There are numerous examples of items we thought were safe and clearly aren’t today.

To rip up perfectly usable natural fields and replace grass with artificial turf is just another example of the current trend of local communities wanting to “keep up with the Joneses.” It’s frivolous, unnecessary spending, even though those who are for the project site increasing the fields’ usability by 60 percent, because it will remain playable for longer seasons.

For years, sports have been played on natural grass fields. Leave paradise alone, and don’t pave a proverbial parking lot.

Turf Project is Out For Bid

Remember this photo that I had on my February 25, 2014 blog posting, Commissioner Franklin has Susan's ear UPDATED 2X?

Turns out, I nailed it. Here is the Mt. Lebanon Flood Zone map, directly from the municipal website. Middle and Wildcat Fields are located in Panel 0456. Any panel highlighted in pink contains a flood zone. The blue areas are the flood zones according to FEMA.

Gateway Engineers swears that the fields have never flooded. We know better than that, right?

So, the project continues...

According to the timeline from the Turf Project Task Force Recommendations made on February 11, 2014, the Project Schedule is as follows:

Design Development –Pending Commission 

Approval February/March 2014 

Construction Documents and Specifications 

April/May 2014 

Advertise for bids May 15, 2014 

Open Bids June 4, 2014 

Award Bids June 10th or 23rd 

Issue Notice to proceed and begin construction 

July 15, 2014 

Final Completion October 21, 2014 

We now know that May 15, 2014 was JT Sauer's deadline to submit to Gateway. The following information was pulled from the "Pittsburgh Builders Exchange," which requires a paid subscription. 

TURF RFP

This would be considered as a Request for Proposal (RFP). There are "bid documents" or "plans" associated with the RFP. These often include specifications, drawings, contract language, etc. Some times, the documents are provided at no costs in electronic format. Other times, such as this instance, there is a fee associated with them. For this project, the "plans" are to be obtained directly from the engineer and include a $75.00 non-refundable fee.

I guess this would be the time to announce the important LeboALERT I received on May 21, 2014.

This is an important notice from LeboALERT. Middle/Wildcat Fields improvement update meeting is Thurs., June 12, from 7 to 8:30 at Mellon Auditorium.

Pretty big venue for such a tiny "vocal minority." This meeting will also include Dr. Andrew McNitt, from the Penn State/FieldTurf Partnership, who will give us an "unbiased" opinion concerning the safety of artificial turf.

I hope that the Turf Project Task Force can get an "unbiased" opinion from financial advisors who have partnerships with FieldTurf who will tell us that we are making a sound investment.

Perhaps there is a FEMA/FieldTurf Partnership who will assure us that flooding is not an issue.

Finally, I am looking forward to hearing from the ESB/FieldTurf Partnership expert since June 12 is the next Mt. Lebanon Environmental Sustainability Board meeting. Gee, I wonder why that happened.

Middle/Wildcat Fields 05.24.14

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

If you are interested in displaying an anti-artificial turf sign in your yard, email me at EGillen476@aol.com.

Update May 25, 2014 6:15 PM Requests to see the draft were ignored. Dan Deiseroth email to Kelly Fraasch.

Gateway is billing us $1,000 per meeting! UPDATED 4X

I am not an attorney. Everyone knows that, but I think I have pretty good instincts when something isn't right. From the Lebo Citizens post, Bullied again on April 24, 2014, two residents tried to attend the Turf Project Task Force meeting, which was held immediately after the "not for the general public" public meeting at the concession stand. They were told by members of the super secret task force that it was not a public meeting. The two residents said that they would just like to observe and took two meeting agendas. These two residents were told to return the agendas and were asked to leave. Members of this super secret turf project task force include Dave Franklin, "He Who Shall Not Be Named," MTLSD Athletic Director John Grogan, Recreation Director David Donnellan, Landscape Architect Jim Sauer from J.T. Sauer, and Municipal Engineer from Gateway, Dan Deiseroth. According to the January 9, 2014 SAB meeting minutes*, Gateway Engineering contributed $4000 for the Middle and Wildcat Turf Project.

Keep in mind, Gateway's Dan Deiseroth claimed that the fields on Cedar Blvd. never flood.

It turns out that Gateway Engineering is charging Mt. Lebanon $1,000 per Turf Project Task Force meeting. There have been seven meetings, and we have been billed $7,000.

The following is the May 2, 2014 memo that Dan Deiseroth sent to Steve Feller concerning the Turf Project Fees expended.

Something that has been overlooked for several meetings now, is the Turf Project Task Force Financial Report. John Bendel had promised to share that information a month ago. It still hasn't happened. Kelly Fraasch was kind enough to share this "report" with me this morning.

From: Kelly Fraasch <kfraasch@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>; Stephen Feller <sfeller@mtlebanon.org>
Cc: commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>
Subject: Re: SAB financial report
Date: Wed, May 14, 2014 10:12 am

This is what I got via email last night.
See below.

FYI, I did ask for a further breakdown and hope to get it soon.
K

Committed by Sports Associations                                                     $124,500
(this is an increase of $26,500 from the last update and reflects additional funds from lacrosse, baseball and football) 

Paid into Endowment as of 5/13/14                                                     $65,389 

Checks received by Mt. Lebo Lacrosse to be provided to Endowment   $26,500

Other sources (Parents Athletic Council, corporate donations, etc)    $17,250


Total to date                                                                           $233,639

On Wed, May 14, 2014 at 9:16 AM, 'egillen476@aol.com' via Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org> wrote:
Commissioners,
Where was the financial report from the SAB? They still haven't given us the break down as to cash in hand and pledges to date. John Bendel assured me that it would be given in the next meeting. That was two meetings ago.
Elaine Gillen

A resident told me last night that the sports associations are emptying their piggy banks to fund this project without giving notice to parents. Also, please note that there is no mention of the "largest donation made by Soccer," according to Dave Franklin. Also, I am confused as to what is the cash in hand balance.

Why is everything such a secret? Why weren't the financial reports given at the commission meetings? Why are residents being asked to leave the Turf Project Task Force? Why did Dave Brumfield freak out at the commission discussion session when Kelly Fraasch brought up the topic of residents attending the Turf Project Task Force meetings? Why is it being left up to John Bendel to decide? Why are there so many unanswered questions concerning this turf project?

I have asked the commission for a draft of the bid that is going out tomorrow, May 15. Kelly Fraasch copied me when she asked for a copy of the draft. So far, nothing.

I understand that there is a process in which taxpayers can pay their taxes in protest, with a portion of the funds going into an escrow account. This pertains to assessments. All you Mt. Lebanon attorneys who are not involved with the Sports Advisory Board, would you check to see if we can do the same with this turf project? I am not seeing overwhelming support. Residents are against it for financial reasons, environmental reasons, health and safety of our young athletes, as well as the arrogance, misrepresentation and lack of respect from our elected officials who are being dishonest every step of the way.

4:30 on a Wednesday afternoon in May w/ near perfect weather and... All fields are empty.

*February 6, 2014 SAB meeting minutes are the latest posted minutes on the municipal website.

Update May 14, 2014 11:43 PM I asked again for a draft of the bid that is going out tomorrow. Clarification on the specifics of the bid package It turns out that the 15th deadline was for JT Sauer to submit the plans to Gateway to coordinate and check and incorporate with other bid documents.

Update May 15, 2014 10:58 PM Mt. Lebanon residents criticize 'newcomers tax,' turf project for fields

Update May 15, 2014 11:24 PM See page 13 of John Bendel's Field Enhancement presentation listed in this post, New street signs in Mt. Lebanon, Gateway Engineers' Opinion of Cost for Contingency/Soft Costs is listed as $89,070. Yet, Gateway's costs shown above are estimated at $100,997 and growing.

Update May 16, 2014 8:06 PM After an entire day of rain yesterday, it's Play Ball at Middle Field tonight. 

Middle Field 05.16.14 at 6:00 PM

Inconsistencies from Brumfield & Co.

I have been trying to keep track of all the stories I have heard concerning turf at Middle and Wildcat Fields. I believe it started with changing the Sign Ordinance. We were told that this amendment will enable the Municipality to sell sponsor signage at our local fields. Did everyone see the single sign sold at Dixon Field? 

Dave Franklin wrote on his Lebo Fields blog,  

"We need this stream of revenue and we have to get creative," resident David Franklin told commissioners. Franklin said Dick's Sporting Goods paid $2.2 million for the naming rights to Dick's Sporting Goods Sportsplex in Graham Park, located in Cranberry Township.

Fact: Dick's Sporting Goods wrote a check [to Mt. Lebanon] for $5,000 and didn't even ask for a sign. - Steve Silverman

In the Post Gazette article, $750,000 OK'd for athletic field upgrades in Mt. Lebanon,

Ms. Linfante agreed, saying improvements "have been years in the making." Fact: It was not presented to Commissioner Fraasch until the beginning of November.  

"I do believe that this project will bring value to every single home in this community," she added. Fact: The recent FAQs for the Mt. Lebanon Assessment Appeal Program mentions nothing about the High School artificial turf adding value. 

"What properties have been appealed? A: The Municipality appealed the assessed value of residential properties that met the following criteria: 

• Sales price greater than $100,000; 

• Difference between sale price and assessed value of $58,000 or more; 

• Ratio between assessed value and sale price of 80% or less for sales in 2006 through 2010 and sales in 2013; and 

• Ratio between assessed value and sale price of less than 85% for sales that occurred in 2011 and 2012." 

The YSA presentation, page 5 claimed that adding artificial turf to Middle and Wildcat Fields "assumes you can have 2 simutaneous [sic] team practicing on this newly created space." Field teams could have simultaneous practices (space is largest in Mt. Lebanon), page 9.  and 

See page 12 of Field Enhancement Proposal 11.06.13 Fact: This sign is posted at the fields.

Will the sign be removed once the turf goes in?

Wildcat and Middle Fields are in terrible condition. Fact: See photo below.

Soccer will have its first and only regulation width field (70 yard).  See page 9 YSA 2012 Field Project Analysis & Recommendation.  John Bendel's presentation, page 7 claimed that the fields would be 170'x345' Fact: The soccer field will be 165x320, not 180x360. The area will be smaller than the High School and Jefferson fields.  Toxic Newcomers Turf will cost more

John Bendel's presentation, page 7 No additional lights at this time. Fact: Conduit is being added to the field for additional lights.

On November 8, 2010, the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing an agreement allowing the School District to utilize 40 spaces in the commissioners’ lot during regular school hours. Shared Parking Agreement Is the Commissioners' Lot being properly maintained? Fact: See below.

 

Is this how they are going to maintain Middle and Wildcat Fields?

Artificial turf to be replaced every 8 years. Long-term Project Cost – 16 years Middle/Wildcat Project Page 14  Fact: See the three high school field photos below: 

Three years, ten months old

Three years, ten months old

Three years, ten months old

These fields never flood. Drainage improvements not required. See page 12 - Athletic Fields - Review of Alternatives Prepared by The Gateway Engineers, Inc. March 2012

From Dave Brumfield's Field Failure (Saved in Google Docs):

"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."

Gateway's Opinion of Cost for organic fill $999,770 See page 13. Fact: New cost estimate is $1.57 million for organic infill. Commission Discussion Session April 28, 2014

"I did not believe that people were accurately reflecting what had occurred over the last few months when they discussed these issues."
                                                               - Dave Brumfield

Coming soon: Dave Brumfield shares his sources where, "Unfortunately the information you are being directed to [on Lebo Citizens] is inconsistent with studies from California, New York and even the Netherlands. This is not something that I or the Commissioners entered into without research. There is a reason that educational and governmental entities are installing turf at an ever increasing rate. For playability, predictability and efficiency it is the best surface."