New signs at the "Crown Jewel"

I recently learned that Mt. Lebanon has a sign shop above Public Works on Cedar Blvd. Apparently, the municipality got the message that taxpayers were unhappy with the total disregard by spectators and players alike. This new sign now appears at our "Crown Jewel."

I especially like this sign, which also appears at our million dollar field.

Yes, a laser printed piece of copy paper inserted into an Office Depot vinyl sheet protector has been posted to ban those pesky sunflower seeds, visible around home plate and in the dugout. He Who Shall Not Be Named promised to take full responsibility, and by golly, he did.

More artificial turf coming to the high school

A RTK was filed for the capital projects list, of which 67 items were to be approved at tonight's school board meeting. The person who requested the list asked for it to be published on the school district website, but that idea was rejected.

The five year capital projects list contained something buried on the 23rd page of that pdf document.

No. 48 Install turf on upper practice field   HS  8 Yrs.     2016      $1,000,000

The upper practice field is also known as The Rock Pile. During the high school renovation, that practice field has not been available. According to the capital projects list, there is a plan to turf that area in 2016 for $1,000,000, and to be replaced on an eight year cycle. 

I was hoping to see something about this in the RTK that is due this Friday. Why wasn't this brought up at a Sports Advisory Board meeting? The high school athletic director should have known this was coming. Ed Kubit, the school board representative should have known that this was coming. Certainly, Dave Franklin should have known that this was coming. Yet, the commission is spending $750,000+ in our over tax dollars for the "new crown jewel." The SAB's portion is to be $250,000 or 25%, whichever is less. According to President Linfante, there were no other options.

At the same time, Mt. Lebanon School District is in the middle of a capital fundraising campaign. The $1,000,000 toxic turf will come out of capital projects fund.  Has MTLSD hired someone to fundraise for turf? It sure looks that way to me.

Introducing Our "New Crown Jewel" UPDATED 2X

That is what the Sports Advisory Board is calling the turf project for Middle and Wildcat Fields.

Sports Advisory Board Video from Feb. 6, 2014

A presentation will be made to the commission on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 6:15 PM. Notes from the presentation are:

Fundraising YTD $56,500  Target is $250,000

Contributions include:
$47,500 from Sports Associations
$5,000 PAC
$4,000 from an anonymous donor (Gateway?)

Contributions are being handled by Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment.

Signage revenue would be considered as non-municipal contributions

Recommended fee schedule:
Recognized Mt. Lebanon Sports Associations would be charged $15/hour per field. It is estimated that a minimum of $12,000 in fees collected annually would be allocated for turf replacement.

In lieu of fees, MTLSD would be responsible for field maintenance.

Vendor List 1/15/14 meeting
Field Turf
Astro Turf
Shaw
Prograss

Some vendors from 1/15/14 also sell organic fill turf, and none spoke highly of organic fill turf. Organic fill (coconut shells and cork) tends to float away. It freezes. There is a tendency for "stuff" to grow in it and would need a pesticide treatment. It also decomposes.

Vendor List 2/7/14 meeting
GeoTurf organic fill turf


Project Schedule
Design Development - pending Commission approval Feb./March 2014
Construction Documents & Specifications April/May 2014
Advertise Bids May 15, 2014
Open Bids June 4, 2014
Award Bids at either the June 10 or 23rd Commission Meeting
Begin Construction July 15, 2014*
Completion Date October 21, 2014

*Flexible may be August 1, 2014

There was discussion of potential capital projects using more unassigned funds. Everyone was in agreement that McNeilly is out of the question. Dave Franklin was silent. Also, instead of buying a mower for the golf course, a number of smaller projects could be completed instead.

My takeaway: Organic turf is not an option. We'll see what my RTK reveals, if it ever gets granted.

Update February 9, 2014 10:25 AM Organic infill would be an Add/Alternate.