The new $3.3 million Swim Center for the low, low price of $4.1 million

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday, November 15, 2013 at 3:30 PM for the controversial Mt. Lebanon Swim Center renovation. The swim center project was part of a $4.5 million rec bond, which was to improve the golf course, Public Works, and Robb Hollow. We've been duped UPDATED The swim center project was originally estimated to cost $3.3 million. (Litigation costs not included.)

Now, our commissioners are considering turfing Wildcat and Middle Fields for the low, low price of $1,000,000. Commissioner Bendel's Field Enhancement Proposal estimates that the municipality's share will be $750,000 ($137,400 transfer from the Brafferton project [2012 unassigned 

fund], $462,600 [2013 unassigned fund] and $150,000 [2013 unassigned funds, 2014 budget or 2014 unassigned funds, if available.]) The non-municipal share of $250,000 will be funded by sports associations, sponsorships and grants. If the commissioners were off by just under 25% with the swim center, my guess is that the turf project should come in around $1,250,000. If the non-municipal funds don't materialize, then the municipality's liability will be $1.5 million or double what is being pitched to us. Of course, these numbers are based on John Bendel's estimate of $1,000,000.

Pictured breaking ground from left are: Commissioner Matt Kluck, Commissioner David Brumfield, Commissioner Kelly Fraasch, Commissioner John Bendel, Recreation Facilities Manager Bob Hlebinsky, Engineer Dan Deiseroth, Architect Mark Edelmann, Municipal Manager Steve Feller and Recreation Director David Donnellan.

ML breaks ground for swim center

A new and improved swim center, in the planning stages for a decade, has finally come to fruition in Mt. Lebanon. Commissioners broke ground Nov. 15 for the project, which will replace a competition pool built in 1977. With an estimated cost of $4.1 million, the new swim center will feature a completely renovated bathhouse featuring family dressing rooms and direct access from the entrance to the pool, a heater, zero-depth entry, climbing wall and a new, taller slide tower with one closed and one open slide. Structural upgrades include better drainage and new plumbing, pumps and filters. Municipal Manager Steve Feller said, “The new facility will retain the advantages of a 50-meter competition pool while also adding amenities that recreational swimmers and families want.” Designed by EPM Architecture of Pittsburgh and Wade Associates, a Harrisburg-based firm that specializes in aquatic facility design, the swim center was funded as part of a $4.5 million recreation bond issue floated by Mt. Lebanon Commission. The new facility is slated to open June 15, 2014.

We've been duped UPDATED

Remember this article on the Mt. Lebanon Magazine website? home(town) improvement There was a $4.5 million bond issued in January. Last night, the Commission approved the multiple contracts for the pool. The grand total construction cost of all five contracts is $3,953,900. This does not include the cost of a project manager, since there are multiple contracts.

The Recreation Bond will not be used for Robb Hollow. It will not be used for the golf course. It will not be used for Public Works. It is going toward the Pool. The entire bond and then some.  We've been duped.

I should have seen this coming. Here are the minutes of a November 6, 2012 Park Advisory Board meeting. Notice who attended the meeting. That was the first clue.

IV. Recreation Bond UpdateDonnellan reported that an Ordinance for a bond issue not to exceed $4.8 million was introduced on October 22. He stated the bond was to include $3.3 million for swimming pool improvements, $750,000 for Robb Hollow improvements and $500,000 for golf courseimprovements. He said a public hearing would be held on November 13, and a vote on the Ordinance was scheduled for November 26. (Editor’s note: The Ordinance was enacted immediately following the public hearing on November 13).Kelly Fraasch announced that there was a meeting scheduled for November 11 at 1:00 p.m. to walk Robb Hollow Park and discuss possible improvements. Members of the Nature Conservancy, Parks Advisory Board, Environmental Sustainability Board, and the Friends of Robb Hollow Park were invited.John Vogel distributed a copy of an email from Ms. Fraasch detailing plans for the meeting. Vogel requested that Donnellan forward the meeting invitation on to board members who were absent.A discussion of the planned improvements followed. There was concern among the group that the Parks Advisory Board had not had sufficient input into the planned projects and that they did not reflect the recent prioritization of projects from the board.Fraasch reported that the Commission was discussing a committee to review athletic fields.The Parks Advisory Board recommended that the bond issue funding for improvements to the golf course and Robb Hollow Park needs further consideration.Fraasch presented her latest proposal for Robb Hollow Park. The plan included opening access to the upper and lower areas of the park, moving the leaf operation, grassing areas for additional greenspace; as well as providing opportunities for future development of a play area, outdoor classroom, dog park and pavilion.

The second clue was that none of Kelly Fraasch's presentations ever made the Municipal website. However, the YSA Recreation presentation was posted.  Where is her study for Robb Hollow? You can find it here, on her blog.

Look at page 55 of the new Capital Improvement Program 2014-2018. (Allow for extra time for the large document to open.) More discussion for turfing and lighting Middle and Wildcat Fields with a $200,000 non-municipal contribution, either from the YSA, advertising or grants.  Yeah, right.

No dog park, outdoor classroom, play area or improvements to Public Works space. No hopes of developing Robb Hollow, which would have released us from McNeilly. Even Moody's said the $4.5 million bond was to be used for renovation of recreational facilities. We've been duped.

Update August 15, 2013 2:20 PM $3.95 million in recreation upgrades get Mt. Lebanon commission's OK

This is how they will get turf UPDATED

According to the agenda for Monday's Commission Discussion Session ,

7:05 P.M.

3. Update Robb Hollow athletic field proposal:

a. Leaf collection options

b. McNeilly as site for leaf transfer

c. Robb Hollow preliminary engineering update

7:25 P.M.

4. Update on proposed bond issue. (Five minutes)

Twenty minutes are allotted for Robb Hollow, while five minutes have been set aside for the proposed bond issue.

On the agenda for the Commission Meeting scheduled for 8 PM,

JB 5. Introduction of an Ordinance (Bill No. 16-12) of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, authorizing General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2013 in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $_____ for the purpose of financing certain recreation improvements.

The proposed Ordinance authorizes the borrowing of funds necessary to complete improvements at recreation facilities including _______________________. The proceeds of the issue will also be used to cover the costs of issuance.

Recommended Action    JB 1. Introduce Ordinance (Bill No. 16-12).

                                      DB 2. Set the public hearing for Tuesday November 13, 2012.

I sure hope that ALL the improvements are listed for recreation facilities before the commissioners vote on the bond. If not, this is how the proturf folks will get their way without having to pay a dime towards it.

I see that Kelly Fraasch updated her blog to include A compromise.

Update October 20, 2012 5:23 PM  Response from Kelly Fraasch:

Re: question on blog

From	Kelly Fraasch kfraasch@mtlebanon.org
To	egillen476 egillen476@aol.com

Sat, Oct 20, 2012 4:38 pm

 

Elaine,

 

Hi, I hope you are well.

 

To answer your question, I talked with Dave B. in mid-late August about the eco-friendly turf.

With consideration of raising money from user and extra time to plan details we found that a Phase II was appropriate.

We talked about this briefly at the next meeting and voted.  The vote was 4-1 I believe. 

 

Prior to that meeting, I believe Commissioner Brumfield made contact with all of his connections within YSA and shared his support of Robb Hollow and the details of the planning.  Around that time, I made contacts with those that had helped me with the proposal and got everyone supporting the "Phase II".  Dave was having a harder time.  While Dave was working on YSA, I began reaching out to other groups that would benefit from the RH development to see their support (verbal and/or financial.)

 

I hope that clears up things for you!

 

Have a good weekend.

Kelly

 

 

On Sat, Oct 20, 2012 at 3:12 PM, egillen476@aol.com <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Hi Kelly,

Someone wrote in on the blog asking if your compromise was ever presented to the YSA. I seem to remember it being discussed at a commission meeting.

Elaine

More on Commissioner Kelly Fraasch's plan

With Kelly Fraasch's presentation just a few days away, the Trib ran this article Official seeks support for rec spending.  Go to http://www.kellyfraasch.com/2012/08/01/recreation-in-mt-lebanon/ to read more about her comprehensive plan which was posted on August 1.

Talk about hijacking the community...(Updated)

An eblast is being circulated in the community from the same folks who brought you, "It is only $18 a month..." They got their way and to quote my buddy Rob Gardner, "We are just pleased" but the hint is in the last sentence:

We're busy enjoying and participating in the community we love, believing that the best is yet to come.

What is the eblast about?  Here it is.

From: Gardner, Robert [Rgardner@Maidenform.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 8:52 PM
To: Anne Pillion, Beer Buy (Tim Scales); beth evans; bill ferari; Bridget Meyer; Cheryl Bender; Chris Helmeci; Chris McMahon; Dan Gbur; David Barrett; Deb Smit; McGrady, III, John; John Wells; KRBonn; KATE MCGRADY, Kathryn Duchin; Laurey Silverman; llrothesq@yahoo.com; votemattsmith@yahoo.com; Nancy Tashman; Noel Slater; Paul Cline; rjpapke@comcast.net; sara dougherty; SkcCreations@aol.com; Kristen Linfante; Steve Silverman; Dianne Wainwright; David P. Franklin
Cc: Commission
Subject: FW: Mt. Lebanon Town Meeting Re: Fields

Dear Commissioners

Thank you for tomorrow night’s public forum regarding the possible upgrading of the municipality’s fields and recreational areas.  Unfortunately, I am out of the country and will be unable to attend.  If I were home I would be in attendance to urge you to PLEASE invest in the upgrading of these public spaces.  Undoubtedly, you will hear from those who say this is no time to spend money.  My hope is that you will hear from an equal or greater number who understand that Mt Lebanon has a rich tradition of investing in its singular identity within the South Hills.  Sidewalks, neighborhood schools, Main Street business districts, and beautiful public recreation spaces and fields define us.  Please don’t let that slip away. The tag line on our website says “A Community With Character.”  Character must be developed and nurtured.

I’ve included many of our friends on this email  who value these public spaces.  I urge anyone who can  attend tomorrow night’s meeting to please do so.  But if you cannot, and if you agree with my comments, please hit “reply all” and let your opinion be heard.  If you don’t agree with me, please let that be known as well. 

Regardless of the outcome, Commissioners,  thank you for your service.

Sincerely,

Rob Gardner

Rob Gardner • Vice President & General Manager

200 Madison Avenue • New York, NY 10016

O 412.841.7216• M 412-841-7216 • E rgardner@maidenform.com

Yes, you are right, Rob.  There are people who believe this is not the time to spend money. You believe the best to come is to wreck our municipal budget as you and your friends did to our school district budget. Spend every last dime.  Borrow more money.  Take out more bonds. My baggage-free commissioner certainly endorses this thinking. When do the signs start going up again?

Mt. Lebanon seeks public input on rec needs

Mt. Lebanon residents are encouraged to share their ideas about the community’s recreation needs—including suggestions regarding maintenance, improvements and additions to parks and recreation facilities—at a special public meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 19, in the Commission Chamber of the Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road.

The commission is seeking input from people of all ages that will help them meet community needs, prioritize projects and allocate available funds appropriately. Speakers will be asked to keep their remarks to no longer than 5 minutes.

The meeting will be taped and broadcast for one week following the meeting according to this schedule: Saturday-Tuesday, 10 a.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m., and Friday, 3 p.m.

Residents who are unable to attend the meeting but would like to share their concerns and ideas with elected officials may e-mail comments to commission@mtlebanon.org.

Update 4:10 PM

Elaine -- Rob is not the only one distributing e-mails. I am forwarding this to you.  It went to the sports teams too. 

Begin forwarded message:

From: Katie Donnelly <donnellyko@xxxx>

Subject: Re: Mt Lebanon Parks and Recreation Facility Meeting

Date: April 18, 2012 11:38:02 AM EDT

To: Maggie Fleming

Cc: over 100 email addresses 

Having recently become involved in more field/youth sports discussions around Mt Lebanon, I encourage all of you to attend tomorrow's meeting.  I unfortunately will not be able to attend.  I can't stress enough how serious this issue has become in recent months and will stretch beyond field hockey.  If anyone has any questions or comments or would like to discuss the issue further, please feel free to contact me.  I've sat in several meetings where this is a hot topic, and I'd hate to see anything affect our already challenging field set-up.

Katie

On Wed, Apr 18, 2012 at 11:03 AM, Maggie Fleming  wrote:

Please plan on attending!

The Mt. Lebanon Commission will hold a meeting to solicit public comments on parks and recreation facilities in the community. The commission would like to hear from residents on how the municipality can improve and better maintain all of its parks and recreation facilities. Residents are invited to attend and will be given an opportunity to speak.

WHEN:  This Thursday April 19^th @ 7:30pm

WHERE:  Commission Chambers of the municipal building (710 Washington Rd.)

MORE INFORMATION: http://lebomag.com/3713/special-commission-meeting/

***Residents who are unable to attend the meeting but would like to share their concerns and ideas with elected

                                                       officials may email comments to commission@mtlebanon.org ***

• We have all talked about the condition of these fields over the years, and we have witnessed other communities improve (and even add to) their facilities, while Mt. Lebanon has struggled to maintain the status quo.
• The Commissioners have made it clear that  if only a few people show up at this meeting to address the condition of our athletic fields it is “highly unlikely” that they will conclude that improvements and additions to these facilities should be a priority.
• We need to be seen and heard at the meeting Thursday night.
• The time is now!  Please don't assume that someone else will attend for you - we need you!

Maggie Neishloss-Fleming

Executive Vice President / Chief Operating Officer

Agenda posted for Commission's Wednesday meeting

The Commission has posted their agenda for Wednesday, November 2. http://www.mtlebanon.org/archives/30/Supplemental%20Agenda%2011-2-11.pdf The second item of business on the agenda after Citizen Comments is clarification on Resolution Number R-16-11 a.k.a. the rec bond. Here we go again.

Update on the rec bond debate

Information is pouring in today.  First, Dan Miller has updated his blog to include a post about the rec bond. Thank you, Dan, for giving me the heads up. Compromise Rec Bond Resolution Update  Sorry I didn't post it sooner, Dan, but as I had said, I was out most of the day.

I am still trying to put the pieces together.  First of all, why isn't this being discussed at the next commission meeting?  Joe DeIuliis missed the meeting.  Now everyone knows that I am not a big fan of the guy, but maybe he has some questions.  Or does this have something to do with the election?  His opponent has already said that she is bringing it back up in January "when" she wins. Everyone knows I am not a big fan of her either, but if she is for it, I am suspicious - but that is another story.

I understand that there is another option that has surfaced.  This letter was sent to Steve Feller today. I won't reveal my sources, but I can tell you that I didn't get it from Steve Feller or Matt Kluck. PNC advised against a line of credit, but Dollar Bank seems to want a chance to work with us.  Wouldn't it be in the best interest of the community to hear what they have to say? The commissioners can vote on refinancing the bond and discuss the recommended budget on Wednesday and move the rec bond issue to November 14.  To me, I think Dollar Bank is making a reasonable request.  Wouldn't this be a compromise for a compromise rec bond?

Like a phoenix, the rec bond rises from its ashes.

Gee, did I say that the rec bond issue was dead? Not according to the Trib $7 million loan could be nixed in Mt. Lebanon

Because DeIuliis excused himself between the discussion and voting sections of Monday's meeting because of an unspecified illness, the commissioners could revive the issue and hope for a fourth vote at a special Nov. 2 meeting when they are refinancing other bonds, Miller said.

Not according to the Lebo Alert:

Mt. Lebanon Commission will hold a special meeting Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Bldg. to consider refinancing 2007 bonds.

OK, Dan, only 'cause I like you...

I am going to attempt to explain what happened tonight with the recreation bond.  Dan, Dave, David, Bill, and Dave, help me out here if I don't get it completely straight.  It was a long night and they were nice enough to stay after the meeting to try to explain it to me.

At the Discussion Session, we heard a presentation from Steve Diaz where he proposed a business offer to look at ways to get funding from the government and public/private partnerships.  All five commissioners were present for this proposal. I know how much he wanted per hour, but it was never discussed at the meeting, so I am not sure if I can disclose that here.  Let me just say that it was a crap load of money.  How am I doing so far, guys?

OK, Discussion Session is over and Joe DeIuliis high tails out just before the Commission meeting is ready to begin.  It is time for the vote for the resolution for the rec bond.  Dan Miller explained that the resolution was a compromise for the community.  He had made a passionate speech about the whole process including working on the pool project with Joe D., the years of research that were behind this resolution, and incorporating different suggestions made along the way. I believe Dan was sincere.  Dave and Bonnie also explained why they were behind the bond.  I will put the meeting online as soon as I can so that you can hear their thoughts.  Joe, of course was history.  I guess he was thinking votes.  Then Matt explained why he was not for the bond.  He wanted to pursue obtaining a line of credit from another bank which he felt had more to offer when PNC advised against obtaining a line of credit.  It was a very heated discussion.  Then came the vote.  Here is where it gets confusing.  The resolution passed 3-1.  But the bond issue is dead. In order to pass a bond, there must be four votes for it to pass.  So no pool improvements, even though it was Joe's project, no McNeilly fields, no improvements anywhere - not for the golf course, the Rec Center, existing fields.  Nothing.  It was a package deal. While I was against developing McNeilly Park, I had said many times that we need to fix what we have, including the fields we have, the pool, and the Rec Center, and that is not happening either.  According to those who stayed after the meeting, the time was right for this bond. 
Dan asked me to write about this and ask the question, was this the right decision for the community?  So there it is.  Was this the right decision for the community?


Update: Dan Miller's blog Compromise Rec Resolution Defeated,
 Podcast of meeting

Tonight's vote for McNeilly Fields and Pool Resolution

Tonight, the Commissioners will be voting to adopt Resolution R-16-11, the recreation bond issue.  No need to bring the kiddies dressed in their uniforms because it is going to be adopted.  Here is the resolution on Dan Miller's blog. http://danmillerward5.com/pool-and-fields-resolution The Commission has researched this project thoroughly and are content to build the fields at McNeilly Park.  I think it is a waste of money, but I am just one person. Chalk another one up for the sports groups.  Son, still zero places for skateboarders.

Please, no anonymous comments on this.

Please and Thank You

I had an email exchange with Dave Brumfield this evening concerning McNeilly Park.  I asked if I could publish the exchange.  Here is the whole exchange per his request.  Start at the bottom.


From: david brumfield <davidcbrumfield@gmail.com>

To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Aug 18, 2011 10:21 pm
Subject: Re: Please and thank you

As long as it is the whole exchange.  Then that would be fine.

Dave

______________________

On Aug 18, 2011 9:13 PM, <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

May I reprint this on the blog? It might clarify the issue for people.
Elaine


-----Original Message-----
From: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
To: davidcbrumfield <davidcbrumfield@gmail.com>
Sent: Thu, Aug 18, 2011 8:21 pm
Subject: Re: Please and thank you

That shouldn't be your problem, Dave. Think about what the Municipality is responsible for. Infrastructure. Following your logic, more people use the roads than fields. Actually, recreation shouldn't even be on your minds in this economy. Just my opinion.
Elaine

_____________________

From: david brumfield <davidcbrumfield@gmail.com>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Aug 18, 2011 8:01 pm 

Subject: Re: Please and thank you
But shouldn't we focus on what helps the most residents. Also keep in mind the SD is actually removing a field, at least for 4 years, they are not adding any.
Dave
______________________

On Aug 18, 2011 7:52 PM, <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Hi Dave,
People of all ages use the pool. I know people use the pool for rehab too. I understand how the locker rooms are not family friendly. Just a few things off the top of my head. I don't use the pool, so I can't comment on the condition of it.
Elaine

____________

From: david brumfield <davidcbrumfield@gmail.com>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Sent: Thu, Aug 18, 2011 7:35 pm
Subject: Re: Please and thank you

Elaine,
Why the pool and not the fields. The fields get more hours of us[e] for the same money. Just curious as to what you see the difference is?
Thanks
Dave
_____________

On Aug 18, 2011 7:21 PM, <egillen476@aol.com> wrote:

Hi Commissioners~

Please consider postponing the development of McNeilly Park. While I understand your reasons, I don't think it is wise to take on more debt than needed. I don't think people are opposed to updating the bath house, pool, or buying a fire engine, but in my opinion, the community can't really handle more money being spent on youth sports than what is being done through the School District. Please don't say that it will only be another $200 a year or whatever the number is. We are hearing that it is ONLY $xx a month for too many things now. And saying that it will increase the value of my house means nothing to me. I have no plans to sell my house. ... I gave up lattes long ago.

Thank you for commenting on my blog, Dan and Dave!

Elaine

More on the Recreation Bond

Do we want to spend $3.1 million developing property on McNeiily Road? I have had a couple of emails asking, "Where exactly is McNeilly Park?" After David Huston and his daughter were kind enough to show me last week, I can tell you. If you are looking at the Citgo gas station on McNeilly Road, the entrance to the park is to the left of the parking lot. It is very easy to walk around since the Municipality (or someone) has been cutting a pathway in the grass. 

I imagine a traffic light will be needed at that intersection now.  Is that Brookline, Baldwin, or Mt. Lebanon? 

According to the Trib, parents and coaches of Mt. Lebanon athletes are interested in developing McNeilly Park.

Members of the youth sports community were planning to attend to show support for adding more athletic fields to the McNeilly property.

The meeting is this Monday at the Municipal Building. The discussion session generally starts at 6:30 while the Commission meeting starts at 8 p.m. For those who have never attended, the discussion session is open to the public, but are not allowed to speak.  If you wish to comment, the opportunity to speak is at the beginning of the 8 p.m. meeting.  A sign up sheet is in the back of the room.

It goes without saying that our taxes will go up. To contact the commissioners, email them at: commission@mtlebanon.org

To see the conceptual plans for McNeilly Park, visit http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=4045 and http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=4046

Developing McNeilly Park

Listed on the August 9, 2011 Commission Discussion Session agenda, the recreation bond issue will be discussed at the August 22 meeting. http://www.mtlebanon.org/archives/35/Discussion%20Session%2008-09-11%20revised.pdf

As I had mentioned here, a significant project scheduled for 2012 is developing McNeilly Park. The link to a September 2008 Gateway study was sent to me today. http://www.mtlebanon.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2660 


After last night's meeting, I stayed and chatted with a couple of the commissioners. They believe that we need to build value into our homes by improving our recreational facilities.  Just putting this out there. Let the commissioners know what you think. You can email them at commission@mtlebanon.org.

Sorry, but there are no plans for a meth clinic or a W Hotel in the ice rink.

Some good, solid ideas for the recreation bond money

How about a meth clinic in the ice skating rink?

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Recreating Recreation

I recently visited the Peter's Township Recreation Center and was impressed. Visitors can't help but be impressed by the brand-spanking new building, the amenities and the attention to detail. But this is not merely Peter's Envy. Although I realize that Mt. Lebanon's 30+ year old recreation center is adequate in many ways, seeing what Peter's did made me wonder: are we really planning and funding our recreation programs as well as we could?

Peter's rec center features multiple indoor basketball courts (almost all being used when I was there), games like fooseball, ping-pong, etc. as well as an upper level track that people can use to walk or run in the comfort of an air-conditioned, enclosed facility, year-round. There are also classrooms, like Mt. Lebanon, but with storage space for supplies, a laptop projector, good lighting and adequate furniture. The place was jumping. There were teens, kids and adults all using the center in the middle of the day. The skatepark in the back was also being used when I was there. The center offers a full schedule of classes appealing to every age and ability level.

The difference between Peter's and Mt. Lebanon is that I got the impression that Peter's assessed who their demographic was and how to meet their needs before building the rec center. This isn't to say that MTL didn't do the same thing 30 years ago when it built our rec center, but 30 years later, it's spending tremendous amounts of money repairing things that aren't being utilized to their potential. An example is the ice arena, a facility that loses money at a high rate every year. Most recreation programs don't make money but I use the ice rink as an example of one of the more expensive services to the community - a community nextdoor to Castle Shannon's Ice Castle. Now, I'm not here to argue the merits of having a municipal ice rink. I've used it a handful of times since I first moved here when I was 11, but I'm sure there are diehard skaters out there who use it regularly. I don't play tennis, either, but I think the tennis center is a much better investment of our recreation dollars. The courts are continually in use year-round and the maintenance cost is minimal compared to the upkeep of an ice rink.

So what am I suggesting? Well, since it's unlikely that we'll ever do anything that's actually useful with the ice rink, like make it into a methadone clinic or a W Hotel, I suppose we keep paying to have it resurfaced, pay for new Zambonis and continue to upgrade the AC and refrigeration when necessary. But why not think outside the box and discuss making it rather than a portion of Mt. Lebanon Park into a skate park. How about expanding the recreation center itself to the ice rink floor to allow them to offer better programming for the two populations that are actually growing in Mt. Lebanon: adults 25-44 and children under 5. Or how about taking a page out of Bethel Park's recreation book and make it into a Lifespan Center for older adults?

Adult recreation programming is currently limited to daytime classes with little variety. How about putting in a yoga studio that offers 6AM classes? Throw in a little wireless network while you're at it so I can finish some work while my kid's in ballet. The ice rink is the perfect size for an indoor track that would snake around the exterior. It'll never happen, but this is due to the fact that we've been in the recreation game longer than Peter's Township and have so much invested in our infrastructure that we can't imagine tearing anything down, even when they're duplications of services offered close by. Rather than taking a look around at all of the commercial and private ice rinks and swimming pools in the area, we continue to spend money on our own infrastructure for the simple reason "we were here first," rather than investing that money into new opportunities.

This isn't an observation unique to Mt. Lebanon. Change is scary, especially when you're trading in something known for something unknown.

Are people finally starting to catch on?

New Yorkers Fleeing State:

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/new-yorkers-fleeing-state-ncx-20110803

 

The Tax Foundation ranked New York highest in the nation in the combined state and local tax burden in 2008. And as small-business lobbyist Mike Durant noted, New York has also "consistently ranked worst or in the top three worst in business climate. You can't suck every penny out of people and expect them to remain in New York."

 Replace New York with Mt. Lebanon and it really means something.

And this gem from James Fraasch's blog from 10/11/2009 (Oh James, we wish you were still on the Board)

http://lebosbupdates.blogspot.com/2009/10/state-budgets-across-country-struggle.html

"Next, let's take a look at New York. You may remember back in April/May that New York planned on implementing a 30% increase in taxes on the wealthy. They saw it as an easy way to close their budget gap. The income tax increased 3.45 percentage points to 10.4% on people earning greater than $250,000- one of the highest rates in the nation. Other states across the country waited to see what the outcome of this taxation would be. Well, here in this article from Miami (Florida was apparently one of the states watching) New York Governor David Patterson admits that the higher tax rates have "yielded lower than expected state wealth". Twenty-percent lower to be more exact."

and

"The second lesson to be learned (thanks to New York) is that increasing taxes on the wealthy will only make the wealthy leave. There were some high profile defections from New York from Rush Limbaugh to Tom Golisano (owner of the Buffalo Sabres) to Nancy Bell (a manufacturer who moved her facility to Florida). All three of these people moved their residences to Florida to avoid the higher taxes. The fact is, you need the wealthy. You need them to stay and invest and employ people."

Is New York finally learning what happens when you tax people more than anyone else?  Those people can vote with their feet. The exodus of people creates a terribly vicious cycle where the same tax burden is spread across a dwindling number of residents.

I have news for you.  Our taxes are going up next year. The commissioners have held out as long as they could.  It is coming. Add to that, the recreation bond that is in the works. While the School Board plays games with multiple-prime contracts just to get the bids down for the high school renovation, we can look forward to more budget cuts. 

As James Fraasch wrote back in October 2009,

Income tax and sales tax revenues to governments will not recover until employment recovers. This means we have at least two more years of state and federal budget cuts coming.

After our Taj Mahal is completed...

Will our teachers be in the same position as the Bethel Park teachers? Yes, we can keep raising taxes to pay for the high school sports complex and someday fix those windows, but when their contract is up, will we have any money to pay the teachers? Bethel Park will have a nice, new high school, but if the teachers aren't happy, then what good is it? Now that the Commissioners want to take out a recreation bond, our municipal taxes will be going up.  Substantially.
I am reprinting Allegheny Institute for Public Policy Brief Volume 11, Number 40.

Pennsylvania Becomes a Teacher Strike Dinosaur

(August 2, 2011)--The Commonwealth endured three teacher strikes this past school year, with Allegheny County serving as the epicenter of activity.  Walkouts in the Allegheny Valley, Moon, and Bethel Park School Districts inconvenienced students and families and continued the trajectory of Pennsylvania seeing a teacher strike somewhere in the state every year since the 1976-77 school year. News concerning the state of affairs in the Bethel Park School District brings the issue of teacher strikes back into focus. After enduring a six week strike last year, the Bethel Park schools are once again facing a possible teacher walkout after the board and the teachers’ union rejected an arbitration proposal. Why? Because teachers want more money and continued control over work rules. If Bethel Park teachers are the first to walk off the job in the 2011-12 school year, they will be doing it in quite a different environment, at least at the national level.  As we have pointed out many times, Pennsylvania is in a very small group of states that permit teachers to strike.  This past spring Ohio and Wisconsin passed legislation that diminished the size of that fraternity by eliminating the dreadful practice.  Both states reported no strikes by teachers in the school year just concluded. Too bad Pennsylvania is so late to the teacher strike elimination derby. Pennsylvania stands with Vermont as the only state in the Northeast as allowing strikes. None of its neighboring states allow strikes. So why is it that Pennsylvania’s legislators cannot get this albatross off the backs of children and taxpayers? Two bills—one that would amend the Constitution to prohibit strikes and one that would impose penalties for striking—have been in committee since June.  Another bill that would have allowed layoffs to occur because of economic reasons (adding that to enrollment decline, cessation of a program, or school consolidation as permissible reasons for layoffs) is similarly languishing in committee. It is hard to imagine a situation more insulting to management and taxpayers. Not only are teachers permitted to be strike, but they cannot be laid off when school districts face economic and financial hardships. Taxpayers must still cough up more money. Only when a district eliminates a program can a teacher be dismissed. Pennsylvania should assist Bethel Park and other districts facing a strike by quickly passing a law containing the provisions of Wisconsin’s Act 10 passed earlier this year. Indeed, under the Wisconsin statute, not only would they be forbidden from striking, they would not be allowed to bargain for anything other than base wages. Benefits, work rules, etc., would be left to management to decide upon. Moreover, the school district would not be permitted to withhold union dues from employees and remit them to the union bosses. And finally, the union would have to hold a recertification vote every year with a requirement that 51 percent of all bargaining unit members vote in the affirmative for the union to continue as the representative of the employees. Or Pennsylvania could look to Ohio.  That state’s changes to their collective bargaining law prohibits strikes by public employees, including teachers, and imposes penalties of two days’ pay for every one day out on a strike.  It also restricts bargaining to wages and some working conditions, but not pensions, health care, or sick time.  There is to be a statewide referendum in November to determine whether or not that law will continue to have force. Bethel Park would certainly benefit from a dose of Wisconsin’s or Ohio’s treatment of union abuse of taxpayers and the public. Justifications for permitting teacher strikes ring very hollow and reflect no values or principles that actually promote education quality or efficient and effective delivery of education to Pennsylvania’s students.  Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President Eric Montarti, Senior Policy Analyst   For more on this topic click here Link to Allegheny Institute Website

Fees, fees, and more fees

Tonight, the Commissioners will be voting to enact the ordinance for a storm water fee beginning September 1. Thanks to a resident, I was directed to the long list of fees that are being charged already in Mt. Lebanon. 2011 Comprehensive Fee Schedule Notice how there are no fees for using ball fields. Why is that?
After tonight's meeting, the Commissioners will be discussing, in a public session, the possibility of a recreation bond.  (I can't remember if it is a $7 or $9 million bond.) How about fixing up what we have?  Why are tax increases related to sports in this town? The Mt. Lebanon Municipal server was down over the weekend. Updating the website was voted down last year. The roads are a mess. We have to be charged a fee to fix our storm sewers.  What is going on here?