More change orders totaling $231,611.08

According to Monday's School Board meeting agenda:

High School Project Change Orders – A number of change orders for the High
School Renovation Project are presented for Board action next week. All have
been reviewed by the architect, construction manager, Rick Marciniak and Jan
Klein and are recommended for approval. They total $231,611.08 and are as
follows:

a. Change order #ME-01-15 to McKamish for $1,502 for additional drafting coordination for Boiler Room

b. Change order #AB-02-17 to Precision Environmental for $71,999 for demolition and abatement of interior partitions that were initially thought to be asbestos free in the bid documents

c. Change order #GC-07-18 to Nello for $9,206 on a time and material basis for demolition of corridor ceilings on the 6th floor of B-Building once it was determined that the corridor steel would have to be fireproofed

d. Change order #EL-03-19 to Farfield for $3,210 to remove an existing light pole and replace it with a junction box

e. Change order #EL-04-20 to Farfield for $14,850 to extend the power lines to condensing units moved from ground to roof

f. Change order #GC-08-21 to Nello on a time and materials basis which will not exceed $36,228.50 without further Board approval to fireproof the steel structure at the 6th floor B-Building corridors of Area B

g. Change order #GC-09-22 to Nello on a time and materials basis which will not exceed $22,945.23 without further Board approval to infill an area of about 34’ by 34’ with lath and plaster or gyp board as possible in the 6th floor B-Building Area

h. Change order #GC-10-23 to Nello on a time and materials basis which will not exceed $25,658.35 without further Board approval to provide plaster patching for a fire rating in 6th floor B-Building classrooms (excludes the area listed above)

i. Change order #GC-11-24 CREDIT to Nello Construction for -$5,297 for demolition of those same partitions which were part of their original work, but eliminated once they had to be abated

j. Change order #GC-12-25 to Nello Construction for $42,058 for added bulkhead to the ceiling of the 6th floor due to its being lowered

k. Change order #GC-13-26 to Nello Construction for $9,251 for additional roof curb flashing in the B-building due to the change in HVAC rooftop units

According to my running total, change orders are up to $954,803.65.

Just what the Commission needs

The agendas for Tuesday's Commission meetings have been published.

Commission Discussion Session Agenda

Commission Regular Meeting Agenda

Besides public hearings for:

• 2013 Manager's Recommended Budget
• Recreation bond

Bill No. 20-12 will be introduced. Bill No. 20-12 is Brumfield's idea according to his website article, "Field Failure." http://www.davebrumfield.com./

Introduction of Ordinance (Bill No. 20-12) establishing a Youth Sports Advisory Board.
The proposed advisory board will:

• Review and assess all sports-related facilities and services in Mt. Lebanon. Recommend possible changes and improvements to sports-related facilities and services.
• Assist in the continued safe provision of athletic opportunities to Mt. Lebanon residents.
• Receive and consider public comment and other public input regarding sports facilities and services.
• Support, promote and/or provide programs and services to assist athletes and coaches in Mt. Lebanon.

Membership of the board will consist of staff from the municipality and school district, a representative from any sports organization recognized by the municipality, a representative from the parks board and a commission liaison. The School District will also provide a liaison and may request participation by other staff or groups. Recommended Action: Introduce Ordinance (Bill No. 20-12).

The link to Bill No. 20-12 is incorrect. The clickable link is to Bill No. 21-12.

Whole Lotta Foods

First came Market District. Then Trader Joe's. Coming next is Fresh Market. But the big news is that Whole Foods is finally coming to the South Hills. It was announced today that Whole Foods will be building at the corner of Washington Road and Fort Couch Road on the former Consol Energy site.

Whole Foods is slated to cover 40,000 square feet and have more than 200 parking spots.
The Siena @ St. Clair development will have an additional 100,000 square feet of retail, including restaurants and stores, Mr. Kestler said.
He said other tenants are currently being lined up.

Whole Foods could open in or before fall 2015.

 

Whole Foods signs South Hills lease

Raja, Matt, or Dudley? UPDATED

It looks like Matt Smith won the Senate race. PA Elections Information I haven't heard the final cost of Raja's campaign, but I think he could have paid for the Rec Bond. I wonder how many of the write-in votes were Dudley's.  http://www.alleghenycounty.us/elect/201211gen/el45.htm There were 163 write-in votes for the Senate race, while there were 570 write-in votes for Representative in the 42nd District. Could Dudley have gotten that many votes?

Now the fun begins. Who is going to run for Representative when Matt Smith becomes Senator?

Update November 8, 2012 8:45 AM To check the results:
 Detail District Report
 Detail Canvass Report
 Mt. Lebanon Ward and District Locator

Moving on

Despite what Dave Franklin says on his blog, the Commission is moving on. Kelly Fraasch has updated her blog to include the rest of the Robb Hollow plans. Robb Hollow It is exciting to see that an outdoor classroom is being considered, as well as a dog park. All of this has been presented to the Commission, so these plans are not new to them.

It is unfortunate how Dave Franklin is spreading lies on his blog. Kelly's initial proposal included Eco-friendly turf to be installed on the Youth Sports' dime. Since that would never happen, the Daves have painted a different picture.

The Redskins Rule

There's something called the "Redskins Rule” that says if the Washington Redskins win on the weekend before the election, the incumbent will win.  If the Redskins lose, the incumbent loses. "This coincidence has been noted by many sports and political commentators and has held true since 1940."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redskins_Rule

The Washington Redskins were defeated today.

Update: November 7, 2012 12:45 AM So much for the Redskins Rule.

Some signs of life on Lebo Fields

I happened to look on Lebo Fields today and saw there was finally some activity. On Dave Franklin's blog, "someone" asked Dave for an update on the bond issue. Here is his response: 

Lebo Fields October 31, 2012 8:52 AM The bond will not include any funds for fields. Unfortunately, Commissioner Fraasch would not support turf and the sports associations were unable to support an increasingly expensive Robb Hollow plan just to add one grass field in an ill-suited area. You can read about future plans at www.davebrumfield.com. Meanwhile, Bethel just installed 2 new turf fields and USC just approved their third.

I point this out because Dave badgered me for weeks to promote his blog, Lebo Fields. His previous blog, Lebo Chat was a bust. I wouldn't promote that blog. Sorry, Dave. I feel responsible. I would hate for another one to bite the dust. It wouldn't look good on your resume.

 

What seems to be coming out is that it isn't about Field Failure, but the issue seems to be Field Envy.  It is always interesting to see how the Daves spin things. Do you think Mr. Franklin will be chosen as the representative from the Parks Advisory Board to serve on Dave Brumfield's newly created Mt. Lebanon Sports Facilities and Services Board?

 

 

Mystery solved

Wondering what the "Dudley" signs are all about in the Cedarhurst Manor area? For the last couple of weeks, Dudley signs have been in yards along with other political signs.

An inquisitive Lebo Citizens reader was able to solve the mystery.  Dudley is a setter whose mommy works for a vet.  Her friend, a sign maker, had the signs made as a joke.

So if you are looking for a write in candidate, Dudley is your man, I mean, dog.

Key words and culling

I am always interested in learning more about my readers. By checking the statistics, I can get a handle on who reads my blog, where they are from, and how they found the blog.

Since November 29, 2010, I have posted 831 times. To those 831 posts, I have published 9,286 comments. This number does not include the ones which were deleted or not approved. Lebo Citizens has been read in 81 countries or 1,804 cities. Key words are also tracked. 554 have searched "Jo Posti mt. Lebanon commencement speech." But only one has searched using:

rob papke so true, tracey. the alternative to a controlled culling is to introduce other natural predators into the habitat, such as mountain lions and coyote; i really don't think that this is a very wise choice. we can not continue to do nothing, ...they are everywhere and they cause trouble other than treating our gardens as salad bars. man, as the other natural predator, must take action to control the herd. also, the "bambi" lovers are a relatively small % of the mtl population however they are very vocal in their opposition to doing anything about the problem.

Rob, the "bambi" lovers have been concerned about the safety of letting loose a bunch of inexperienced yahoos who never counted bullets, shot themselves in the foot, shot deer and never knew they hit them, hit a house near Williamsburg Park, almost shot a kid, and can't find evidence of anyone being stomped to death in Upper St. Clair. These people who are "a relatively small % of the mtl population" as you say have never been counted, just as how you have no idea how many deer there are. Your commissioner is very vocal about killing deer, and has said repeatedly that she is the lone wolf on the commission.  To me, that translates to 20% of the commissioners want to kill deer. How many signed up for culling in 2008? It didn't even represent 20% of the houses in Mt. Lebanon.  So don't make these grandiose statements without having the facts to back them up. I can support every one of my statements.    

A Letter to the Editor from J.E.Cannon, III

The following letter to the editor comes from frequent contributor, James E. Cannon, III.

As many of you know, on September 11, 2012, the U. S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya was attacked by armed and organized terrorists. Four Americans were killed: Ambassador Chris Stevens (who had volunteered to go to Libya); State Department information management specialist, Air Force veteran and father of two Sean Smith; former Navy SEALs and diplomatic security contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty.

In the days following the planned attack, the Obama administration delivered a tale of a “spontaneous” riot and uprising due to an obscure an unknown video floating around YouTube. The video had been online and available for months garnering only several hundred views. Yet following mass riots in multiple Middle Eastern countries, culminating in the consulate attack on September 11, the anniversary of the worst attack on U.S. soil, Obama and his appointees placed blame squarely on the unknown 14-minute clip that resulted in thousands and thousands of additional views. Those officials propagating this lie included U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, White House spokesman Jay Carney, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, along with President Barack Hussein Obama.

In the ensuing weeks, it has been discovered the consulate had asked for additional security in the months prior to the attack only to be refused, including sending emails directly to the Secretary of State in which consulate staff explicitly detailed how they would not and could withstand any kind of organized attack. In addition, one need not have a genius level IQ to recognize the significance of the date. For anyone in the U.S., especially the President, to not be cognizant of the symbolism of September 11th, and not maintain a higher level of vigilance—especially in Muslim countries, and ones in turmoil to boot—is the height of stupidity, incompetence and, in the case of the President, a dereliction of duty. It has also come to light that the attack lasted 7 hours, time in which those two brave SEALs manned weapons and repelled multiple attacks. Those men repeatedly called for assistance, just as they had on combat missions in other countries. But it was to no avail. It is now documented that multiple persons in the White House situation room watched the events in real time via a satellite transmission. President Obama, not wanting to damage some purported “positive” image allegedly created by the U.S in Libya, and not wishing to offend the Muslim world, decided to let those men die. It was pure politics. And it is unforgiveable. He watched those brave men die. Live. On television. And did nothing.

In the Special Operations community, know there is an expectation among those warriors that in return for performing the dangerous tasks at hand, they will ask for and receive the support necessary to accomplish that task. On September 11, 2012 that support was ready, available and close enough to have saved them. But Obama and his minions stood in the way, purposely, coldly and without regard for anyone but themselves. Through their actions they have left an indelible and disgusting stain on our national fabric.

Those men—Stevens, Smith, Woods and Doherty—typified the qualities most of us can only aspire to achieve. The Ambassador and Sean Smith went to Libya hoping to help. God bless them for volunteering. And Woods and Doherty performed in a way I can’t begin to fathom. They exemplified bravery, nobility, courage and honor. Those are characteristics many of us don’t consider on a daily basis much less live by 24/7. Well, those four did and for that, they should not be forgotten. As Americans, they deserved better, and so do we. The cover-up needs to end. Until it does, I have made it my mission, my personal mission, to ensure those four brave souls don’t fade into the background and aren’t washed away by political hacks or the media. It’s happened too often. Not this time. Stand up, America. Take back our government, take back our rights as the citizenry and let’s honor the memory of the Benghazi Four.

J.E. Cannon III (U.S. Marine Corps/U.S. Army)

 Remember Benghazi

If you would like to display this sign in your yard, contact James Cannon III at jcannon1775@verizon.net

The 2013 Manager's Recommended Budget is now online

The 2013 Manager's Recommended Budget has been posted online here.  The good news is that:

• The budgets for all funds are balanced using a combination of ongoing revenue sources and available reserves.
• The budget assumes a property re-assessment that will result in an increase of 5 percent over real estate revenue received in 2012. Because of the reassessment and “anti-windfall” legislation, we expect that the millage will actually decrease from 5.43 mills to 4.4 – 4.89 mills, depending on the results of appeals.
• There is no increase proposed in the earned income tax rate or deed transfer tax rate.
• There are also no proposed changes to the sanitary sewer fee or stormwater fee.

Budget review meetings start next week beginning Monday, November 5, 2012 at 6 PM with future meetings scheduled for Thursday, November 8, 2012 and Wednesday, November 14. I believe Citizens' Comments will be held November 13, 2012.

It's not a loan. It's a grant.

Sunday's Trib included an article about the Washington Park property, a.k.a. the Zamagias property. Tax-increment financing poses big risks in Pennsylvania

The apparent failure of Longvue and a residential development in Mt. Lebanon highlight risks inherent in projects backed by tax-increment financing plans, and they could cost state taxpayers at least $7.3 million.

It is costing Mt. Lebanon taxpayers, as well. The Mt. Lebanon School Board and Commission must approve giving up a portion of property tax revenues when authorizing a TIF.   

Neither the municipality nor the school district lost any money on the project, Feller said. Both collect taxes on the value of the unimproved land; only tax money from any buildings would go into the debt service fund.

Zamagias controls the land, through several extensions Mt. Lebanon commissioners granted; the company bought the site from the defunct Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority. The board in January granted the most recent extension, lasting until December 2013.

After consolidating its properties along Washington Road and Kenmont Avenue, Zamagias cleared the site, which remains empty.

Yes, Steve Feller is correct. However, as it was pointed out in a previous comment:

The Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority (MLPA) purchased the property during the 1970's for around $200,000 that it sold to Zamagias in 2005 for $520,000. That $520,000 was based on an independent appraisal by a state certified appraiser and agreed to by both buyer & seller.

There are also some interesting questions about the consolidation of Zamagias property parcels, County assessments, reassessments and owner appeals that I would like to see addressed by Municipal officials. In reviewing the County 2013 assessment website for the Zamagias properties (i.e. 098-P-100), one wonders how 8 former parcels that Zamagias paid a total of $1,520,000 for, reportedly with TIF loan proceeds, can be shown consolidated into a single parcel now comprising 1.7115 acres, has a cost basis of only $520,000, a 2012 assessed value of $609,100, and a 2013 reassessed value of only $428,000 that Zamagias is appealing as being too high ?

Now you see, Anonymous, why I rail against this and expose Posti...? You wonder why you aren't getting the fundraising support that you need. These decisions are costing us money. Don't forget to sign the petition.  

Links:
Letter to the Editor: The Importance of Being Earnest UPDATED 2x
This is disgusting!
Mt. Lebanon developer may avoid repaying tax-aided loan

Grievance Update

Back in April,  MTLSD Solicitor Tom Peterson announced that the substitute teacher grievance will be heard in September.

Currently, long-term subs remain at Step 1 of the salary schedule if the district hires them full time with a contract. The teachers union says that's against the state school code, and if its argument is upheld, the district could pay more than $800,000 every year for the teachers' salaries and accumulated sick days, solicitor Tom Peterson said.

Here it is, November 1, 2012 and no update about the grievance.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/union-urges-upgrade-in-salary-for-substitute-teachers-in-mt-lebanon-schools-632132/

David Huston decided to email the board and find out.  Here is Josephine Posti's response.

From: JPosti@mtlsd.net
To: David Huston SchoolBoardEmaillist@mtlsd.net
Subject: RE: grievance
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2012 12:14:46 +0000
Mr. Huston,

It will still be a few months before we get a decision.

For the Board,

Josephine Posti
President
Mt. Lebanon School Board
412.667.1479
http://jposti.blogspot.com

Mission: To provide the best education possible for each and every student

If a couple means two, a few means three or more.  That brings us to February when Josephine Posti and Mary Birks will be running for re-election. Timing should be interesting.

Tonight's Zamagias Property meeting

Tonight, St. Bernard's hosted a public meeting about the Zamagias property located at Bower Hill Road and Washington Road. Two residents recorded tonight's meeting, so the podcast is available on Lebocitizens.com. The handout from the meeting is available here.

I did not go to the meeting, but I did sign the petition for the commissioners to enforce inspections of the property and consider exercising the buy back provision if reasonable movement isn't made by the developer.
http://www.change.org/petitions/mt-lebanon-commissioners-property-at-bower-hill-rd-washington-rd-inspections-and-consider-buy-back

Besides signing the petition, please consider the following:

1. Email commission@mtlebanon.org or call the commissioners with the following points:

• We would like to see it developed - provide ideas for use of the space       
• Enforce keeping it cleaned up - enforce inspections      
• If reasonable movement is not made by the developer, consider instituting the buyback provision for the property and do not extend the agreement   
• If Zamagias defaults on the TIF loan, ensure that they pay back Mt. Lebanon  

2. Attend the 11/13/12 Commission Discussion Session. Zamagias Properties will be making a presentation. Start time for that meeting is usually scheduled for 6:30 PM, but when the agenda is published and posted here and on lebocitizens.com, in addition to the municipal website, I will pass it on. As always, residents cannot speak at the Discussion Session, but Citizen Comments are always held at the start of the Commission Meeting at 8:00 PM.

Please help this courageous Mt. Lebanon graduate

I know that we are being bombarded from all directions for donations here in Mt. Lebanon, but this one is a personal one for me. Geri, a 1997 Mt. Lebanon graduate is my daughter's friend and needs a triple transplant. The following is a letter from her mother in law. Please give what you can.

This is my beautiful daughter-in-law Geri. She is one of a kind, I always said I couldn't have picked a better woman for my son if I tried.

Geri got type 1 diabetes at a very young age. Her kidneys are now operating at about 18% so she is being put on the kidney, pancreas transplant list. First I ask for your prayers for her. That she has no fear and that she comes through this and everything works just the way it should! She will not be able to work for quite awhile so I am asking anyone who can to please click on the link below and make any donation you can to offset the money they will need to get through this time. I have 3 incredibly, loving, beautiful grandchildren who will be going through so much while their mom is going through this process. Not having to worry about money will make things so much easier for them. So please, open your hearts and give what you can...no matter how small.

Thanks so much in advance.
A grateful Mother-in-Law
Laurie Whalen MacCleary

To donate, please visit: http://patients.transplants.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=485635&lis=1&supId=370711636&patientPID=16070