Act 93 Administrative Agreement removed from agenda

Thanks to David Huston, the podcasts to tonight's meetings are now available. Josephine Posti announced that an agenda item was removed -

Act 93 Administrative Agreement – The Board will be asked to consider an Act 93 agreement with the District’s administrators.
Act 93 Administrative Agreement: RESOLVED, That the Board approves the Act 93 Administrative Pay for Performance Plan as presented effective July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2017.

Does that mean that there is no agreement for Jan Klein? Steve Scheurer?

The following action item was only an adjustment to Mrs. Klein's annual salary, or a technical amendment or revision as explained by Scott Goldman:

Revision to 2012-2013 Administrative Salaries – The Board will be asked to approve a revised list of salary adjustments for administrators previously approved by the Board.
Revision to 2012-2013 Administrative Salaries: RESOLVED, That the Board approves the revised 2012-2013 list of annual salary adjustments for administrators effective July 1, 2012.

At the last meeting, Scott Goldman had not voted to approve the administrative raises, but since tonight was a technical amendment, the vote was unanimous. I wish the Board would have just come out to explain what the technical amendment was.

Write a letter to force a moratorium on the reassessments

The PA State House of Representatives has twice passed a bill that would force a moratorium on Allegheny County reassessments.  As you know, the PA House is controlled by Republicans. Both times this bill has passed, the Senate has found a way to either block the moratorium or strip it out of a bill that they did pass. Former State Senator John Pippy was the lone R vote in Committee to try to keep the moratorium in the bill. Obviously, he is now gone and will be replaced in November.

Either way, this bill has bi-partisan support with the majority of PA House members understanding that there needs to be a statewide approach to property tax reform.

Below is a news article and a press release regarding these votes:

http://www.repsaccone.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14809

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/reassessment-halt-falters-in-pennsylvania-legislature-643375/

I'd like to see us increase the odds of this moratorium getting put in place. To do so, please contact PA State Senators Pileggi and Scarnati at the websites below (note that these are "Contact Me" forms as they do not have public emails addresses):

http://www.senatorscarnati.com/connect.htm

http://senatorpileggi.com/contact.aspx

Please ask these senators to support a property tax reassessment moratorium in Allegheny County.

Here is what I wrote:

Dear Sir, 

Please take a moment to read the linked letter below.  It has a thorough explanation of why I support the Senate freezing the reassessments that took place in Allegheny County.  

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9r_1biKte_bcnFIbGRocTlPcHc

The results of this reassessment will hurt those people you wish to help the most- the middle class. We cannot afford what is happening here with the taxes being pushed upon our already overburdened checkbooks.

Please support a moratorium on the Allegheny County Reassessments.

Is this what they are trying to sneak in?

The School Board usually has two meetings per month, a discussion meeting followed by a business meeting (a voting meeting) the following week. For the first time that I am aware of, the School Board will have the discussion meeting and the voting meeting all rolled into one on Monday, July 16.  The agenda has some irregularities this time.

(2) Revision to 2012-2013 Administrative Salaries – The Board will be asked to approve a revised list of salary adjustments for administrators previously approved by the Board. Revision to 2012-2013 Administrative Salaries: RESOLVED, That the Board approves the revised 2012-2013 list of annual salary adjustments for administrators effective July 1, 2012 

(3) Act 93 Administrative Agreement – The Board will be asked to consider an Act 93 agreement with the District’s administrators. Act 93 Administrative Agreement: RESOLVED, That the Board approves the Act 93 Administrative Pay for Performance Plan as presented effective July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2017.

A revision to the administrative salaries?  What are they? Will we find out after they are approved? Where is the transparency?

Act 93 Administrative Agreement - isn't that Jan Klein?  Is she getting a raise? Where is her agreement? Will we have to file a Right To Know? Again, where is the transparency?

I am sure that Josephine Posti will say that the Board is transparent. Look at:

(6) Publication of Listing of Liened Taxes – Annually, the Board approves the publication of all properties on which taxes for the prior year have not yet been paid. This list is provided by the Tax Office and is recommended for public view. The Superintendent recommends approval of this action.

List of Liened Taxes: RESOLVED, That the Board approves for public display the list of liened taxes for the 2011 tax year.

They are quick to approve for public display the list of liened taxes, but what about YSA payments for the Joint Maintenance Agreement? Why am I waiting for 30 days to find out the status of my RTK? We don't want to shame them, now do we?

Anticipation...

Anticipation - Pursuing Ketchup

PG's Molly Born did a story today about the feasibility study and Pursuant Ketchum.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/district-awaits-word-on-campaign-for-mt-lebanon-high-school-renovations-644282/

Ms. Bowman said this feasibility study wasn't about identifying donors but about soliciting advice and feedback.

Then what good is it?

The interviews are based on the idea that the district would try a $15 million capital campaign, though other sums have been considered.

Say what? $15 million?  What happened to the $30 million? We were told that a feasibility study costing $41,000 plus travel expenses was for a $30 million fundraising campaign. 

The school board chose the people to be interviewed, "a cross section of the community" Hmm, I didn't seem to get a call. Probably all the people on MLFE got a call.

Capital campaigns of this size usually occur at universities or civic organizations, but school directors have said that Mt. Lebanon's alumni network and residents could be ideal future donors.

 Excuse me? Residents? Aren't we "donating" already?

Also note that the District has now changed the possible outcome of the study. It used to be for the High School project. Now they are saying it could instead be for a program endowment. Problem is, the MLFE only funds NEW programs. It doesn't pay teacher salaries and the like.

Linfante: Let's float a bond with no plan

My commissioner had some wonderful words of wisdom at last night's meeting. During part two of the discussion session, an agenda item was about floating a bond. John Bendel said that it has never been a better time to float a bond. In order to float a bond, the commission must have four votes.  Kristen Linfante was quite vocal about floating a bond. She wanted to know if there were four votes. Matt Kluck does not want to float a bond, so that meant that Kelly needed to be the fourth vote. The problem is that they have no plans. Kristen wondered if they should float a bond with nothing designated for the bond. Great plan. Later in the meeting, Kristen said that the high school renovation was a perfect example. We waited forever and ever, board after board, and now we have a big number. 

I have some questions.  Wasn't the first renovation plan approximately $150 million? Didn't we float the bond around two years too early? Because of poor planning and not doing their homework, didn't the school board end up going to court because of zoning issues? Weren't we faced with our first change order because the soil that was bad in 2007(?) was still bad in 2012?

Kristen, are you going to approach this the same way you talked about the high school renovation?  No facts. No plans. Just go up to the microphone and say how we must have this renovation. The time is right. Just dig it.

Are we going to be like this? The New Normal: Municipal Bankruptcy

Click here to listen to the second half of the discussion session.

Apology from the Commission

On behalf of the Commission, President Dave Brumfield issued an apology at last night's meeting over the launching of fireworks from Mt. Lebanon Cemetary on July 4, 2012.

Commission Apology

Full count. Pass the bottle.

I have a little rule that I like to follow. When I hear a complaint from three or more people, I think it might be time to write about it. I am not very popular with the sports groups around here as it is, so this will definitely throw some people over the edge.

I have not been to a youth sporting event in Mt. Lebanon for many years. From what I have been told, things have really changed since I attended. I understand it has become common practice for parents to bring alcohol to their kids' games. I do enjoy a good margarita or a glass of wine now and then, but I have never brought alcohol to any of the sporting events. First, I don't think it is appropriate. Second, or maybe it should have been first, I don't think it is legal to drink in our parks or school grounds.

I just started a new poll about alcohol and youth sporting events. Please take a moment to vote.  Thanks.

Josephine Reflects on the State Budget

Over on Center Court blog, Josephine Posti writes:

An editorial that ran in the Post-Gazette on Tuesday that describes the frustrating closed-door state budget process that included "deals" ranging from new teacher evaluations to a Marcellus Shale drilling ban in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. 

The governor's plan links public school teacher performance reviews to student achievement. Is that a bad thing? Is she disappointed that public schools must be accountable?

I don't understand her drilling ban comment. Drillers are PA American Water's largest customers. If she starts railing against drilling, she'll be unemployed quickly.

Josephine continues.

In regards to the teacher evaluation language that was approved, this new evaluation process does not apply to charter schools, further expanding the gap between the accountability and transparency public schools must adhere to while using tax dollars to fund schools without financial or academic oversight by local elected officials or taxpayers.

Oops, there it is. Accountability and transparency that public schools must adhere to. Accountability and transparency. As opposed to the closed-door meetings Posti lobbied for with the commissioners, the stealthy accounting practices with the YSA, and the "let's make sure we don't have a quorum Steinhauer Panera coffee klatches which were revealed in a Right To Know about the feasibility study. The same woman who tells her constituents to file Right To Know requests and when we do, they require 30 day extensions for legal reviews?  I have to check my records to see how much longer I have to wait for my two outstanding RTK requests concerning YSA payments.

Speaking of the feasibility study, how much longer do we have to wait for the Feasibility Study results? Will everything be revealed during the single School Board meeting being held in July. The School Board will hold a combined discussion/regular voting meeting on July 16, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Middle School Library. This is a first. Last year, there were two meetings in July. I am anxious to hear about the feasibility study. I understand that one of PK's clients, Washington National Cathedral has this want ad. http://www.nationalcathedral.org/jobs/JOB-5MQTL-76001E.shtml Didn't it work out with Pursuant Ketchum? Everything is written in past tense. http://www.pursuant.com/?s=Washington++national+cathedral As of March, they had only raised $2 million of the $20 million they needed to fix the earthquake damage. http://www.pcusa.org/news/2012/3/13/repairs-funds-are-slow-going-quake-damaged-nationa/ Did this group take over? http://www.oai-usa.com/our-clients/community Sure wish we had that $41,000 plus travel expenses. On that same note, I saw this article in Pittsburgh Business Times where the State disagrees with Cal U over their $6 million fund which was used for things like a feasibility study.  http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/blog/morning-edition/2012/07/state-of-pennsylvania-and-cal-u.html?ana=RSS&s=article_search

Someone sent me this link. Everything You Need to Know About Public School Spending in Less Than 2 1/2 Minutes I hope our school board directors take the time to view the video. Here is a screen capture from the video. Consider it a preview of coming attractions.

Feeling like you are not being represented by your elected officials?

I sure am.  We do have options. I am not suggesting a tax revolt, but here is something to consider. To receive a 2% discount on our municipal and school district taxes, the discount deadline is July 31, 2012. Since the taxes are to be paid by separate checks, they can be paid at different times.  Looking at the less expensive municipal taxes, the 2% discount is minimal by comparison. Do you feel like you are being represented by your commissioners? I don't. For less than $20 on average, you can make a statement to the municipality. I am choosing to pay my 2012 municipal tax bill in September.

I have always paid my taxes the second they would arrive in my mailbox. Last year, I waited to pay my school district taxes until the end of July.  I know it didn't make much of a difference to the school district, but I felt better. This year, I think I am going to take advantage of the school district real estate tax installment option. Here is the installment option as written at the bottom of my school district tax bill:

Mt. Lebanon School District Real Estate Tax may be paid in the following installments:

1/2 of the face tax due by: 9/30/12

1/4 of the face tax due by: 13/31/12 (whenever that is)

1/4 of the face tax due by: 2/28/13

If more people take this route, perhaps that would get our local government officials' attention.

 

 

We may see more of these LeboALERTS with artificial turf UPDATED

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

Due to extreme hot temperatures and high heat index, Lil Sluggers T-Ball is cancelled for this afternoon, Friday, July 6, 2012. For info call 412-343-3409

Update July 8, 2012 10:36 PM Please read Penn State's Center for Sports Surface Research Synthetic Turf Heat Evaluation – Progress Report dated January 2012.

Do we ever think things through when it comes to the high school construction?

This one is a heartbreaker. Due to the high school renovation, tonight's fireworks are to be shot off from the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. The cemetery is closed to mourners. One woman lost her husband six years ago and couldn't visit his grave to celebrate his favorite holiday like she usually did.

“It’s wrong. It’s just wrong,” said Stefanie Hertz, who was one of several residents angered by the choice of location.

Residents argued the township could have chosen somewhere else to shoot off the fireworks.

“It's disrespectful. You don't plan a celebration around people who've just passed, that obviously are missed,” said Hertz.

Mt. Lebanon's municipal manager did not return a call requesting comment.

Township's decision to shoot off fireworks from cemetery upsets residents

WTAE story on YouTube

Celebrate freedom

As we celebrate freedom today, let's also support the tools that support freedom. Thankfully, we have the Internet. The Sunshine Act allows us to file Right To Know Requests. The PA Office of Open Records has developed a citizen's guide which provides a simple overview and can be found here.

Download and share this flag
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Download in JPEG, PNG, or PDF.

Read more at https://www.google.com/takeaction/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=hpp&utm_campaign=07042012takeactionhpp

Pool Update - Go to Dormont UPDATED

Isn't this just swell?  Dormont saves the day.  Here is the latest LeboAlert:

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.

Pool closed. Might open Tues. Dormont honors Lebo permits till 8. Show receipt for permit purchase. Rec Ctr. can provide copy, 412-343-3409 till 5 or 412-561-4363.

Commissioner Fraasch, in answer to your question raised at the March 26, 2012 Commission Discussion Session, yes, we are to go to Dormont to swim.

This could have all been avoided.

Update July 3, 2012 10:10 AM

This is an important notice from LeboALERT. 

Hooray! New pool pump installed successfully and pool is open for business as usual.

My counter proposal to the YSA's - UPDATED

FIX THE POOL.

This is an important notice from LeboALERT.


Due a mechanical failure, the Pool will be closed for the day. We apologize for the inconvenience and will update when the problem is corrected.

Pool Update July 1, 2012 7:45 PM The pool was packed when it had to be evacuated. Our filtration system went down. This morning, the Aqua Club held a meet in dangerously low chlorine levels. Our kids were swimming in filth. I am listening to the March 26, 2012 Commission Discussion podcast. About halfway through the podcast, Kelly Fraasch asked David Donellan what would happen if the filtration system goes down. Matt Kluck had asked for a timeline and would never receive it. Kelly had said that she would hate for residents to have to go to Dormont's or Scott's pool. It was mentioned that if the filtration system would go down, it would be the end of the season. It seems that both James and Kelly Fraasch are prophetic.

Pippy resigns

Last night, Senator John Pippy resigned at 11:59 PM following the budget vote. State Sen. Pippy resigns from legislative seat following budget vote This followed Democratic Nominee Greg Parks' filing papers to withdraw from the race. According to the PG, Matt Smith could run against Raja in the November election. Dems to pull switcheroo in state Senate election?  Nothing would make me happier than to see a strong candidate run against Raja.  Yes, I know that I am a Republican, but I think Matt Smith would be the better candidate. And if Matt wins, then I would love to see Dan Miller fill his seat as representative. Time will tell.  The Democratic committee has to nominate Matt Smith first.  Selfishly, I want Dan Miller as our representative since he did a fantastic job when he was a commissioner.  After his term as president was over, everything went to hell, as far as I am concerned.