“All the trees on the site will be removed…”

Riverfront development in all our wisdom. See: www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20100203/news/100209828

There is a hearing at City Council on Tuesday, February 16.

School Architect Contract: Follow-up

The hiring of the architect is not what is so bothersome.  It is the fact that we are talking about hiring an architect when we (the public) don’t even know what is being developed.

What we have right now is the Tuscaloosa Center for Technology.   According the the City School System’s web site

• The Tuscaloosa Center for Technology serves as an extension of the high school programs for Tuscaloosa City and County schools.
• The purpose of the school is to broaden the curriculum of the local high schools by providing students with life skills to meet the challenging workplace and/or pursue a post-secondary degree.

http://www.tct.tusc.k12.al.us/home/abtsch.htm

No one would argue that a new building is not needed or that the programs are unimportant.  (Frankly, I think we constantly do ourselves, our society and our children a disservice with our attitude that unless you go to college you are a failure.  The bills that I pay to people in the trades would indicate quite the opposite.)  I do think it is reasonable, however, to ask what is being developed?

Will it still be cooperative between City and County Systems? I have heard that the County, in conjunction with some or all of the business community, is planning a different school to be located on or near the Shelton campus.   If that is the case, then are our tax dollars going to go toward duplicating programs for the City and the County?  Does it even make sense for the City and County systems to be sharing a facility?  Could a cooperative system be set up where programs are not duplicated, but there is still more than one physical facility?

Where is the Chamber of Commerce in all this? (Dear Reader, just so you know, I have been told that I have a “bad reputation” with the Chamber.  Make of that what you will…)  At any rate, the Chamber’s website contains several references to the technical school.  For example, http://www.tuscaloosachamber.com/PDF/workforceplan.pdf, which is their Workforce Development Plan sets forth the following strategies:

“Formally establish and incorporate an independent, self-sustaining regional, 501 (c) 3 workforce development corporation physically located at Shelton State Community College, and provide the short and long term public and private sector funding to support and sustain needed management structure.” (p.5)

“Provide efficient integration and alignment among all levels of education and workforce services, including K-12, technical schools and community colleges in the region, and higher education.  Consolidation of multiple technical advisory committees throughout the K-16 system is strongly recommended
“Establish an education-workforce training advisory council that includes representatives from K-12, community colleges, higher education, counselors, employers and other appropriate community leaders in the region to:

• Facilitate and encourage cooperation and consistent communications.
• Define employment and skill needs.
• Project employment standards, expectations, trends and job opportunities.Define and apply career paths and school-to-career opportunities.
• Enhance curriculum design and implementation.
• Expand dual enrollment design and applications.
• Expand career counseling at all levels of education.
• Contribute directly to increased graduation rates throughout the region.

“Foster and advocate development and establishment of a regional career-technical high school to address and achieve expanded workforce capacity and skills development in West Alabama.”

(pp. 6-8)

The Chamber’s “Directions 2012:  A Strategic Business Development Plan”  (http://www.tuscaloosachamber.com/tuscaloosa/busplan.php#ed) states the following:

Objective: Provide aggressive leadership, advocacy and coordination that fosters effective business-education partnerships that contribute to excellence in education, career preparation and enrichment for all students.

Strategies:

1. Maintain effective management and coordination of adopt-a-school program as a source for connecting business and education with a sustained emphasis on career preparation.
2. Actively support, pursue and advocate development and establishment of a regional technical high school for Tuscaloosa County and West Alabama.
3. …

I’m sure there’s more, but that’s as far as I want to look.  So, what cooperation, if any, is going on between the Chamber, the business community and the City Schools.

Where is this new school going to be built? I have been made to understand that it is going to be built near the old Tuscaloosa Middle School which is now the Magnet School.  What other locations have been considered, if any?  Does this choice of location indicate that, indeed, the City and the County are going their separate ways?

How does the pending Charter School legislation play into this? I have heard speculation that the County technical school at the Shelton campus will be a charter school.

Basically, I am interested in knowing that the needs of the community are being served in the best way.  The community includes the County as well as the City as many of us are tax payers of  both.

As for the specific contract that I referred to in my previous post…

Here is a link to the Tuscaloosa News story about the it (among other things): http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20100122/NEWS/100129890?p=1&tc=pg

I should have been a little clearer in my last post that there was a distinction between the contract that was discussed – and tabled – back in December and the one that was on the agenda for the Open Work Session last week.   The contract discussed in December was the full blown, beginning-to-end contract.  The contract being discussed now is $100,000 for preliminary work and advising.

This doesn’t quell my misgivings.  I am proud that Marvin Lucas, Board member from District 6, expressed this very concern at the meeting reported on in the article linked above.  No matter how small the contract you award right now, the same message gets sent to the public:  The System has decided to build such-and-such and your input doesn’t really matter.  I hope that that awareness of the importance of bringing the people to the table grows and I hope that with the welcoming attitude, the people will respond and embrace their opportunities to participate and actually own our schools.

PS.  The school system is planning a forum of some type to share information with the public as well as to gather input from various experts and the public.  More on that as it becomes available…

PSS.  My understanding is that the way architects are generally chosen by the city schools is that several local architecture firms take turns.  The desire is to keep the money spent on the architects in the local economy.  This is how it has always been done.  Does that mean it is the best way to achieve our goals?  Who knows?

City School Board: A Parallel Universe?

Last month I spent several hours at the Tuscaloosa City School system’s central office at a Board of Education meeting.  I went because I am particularly passionate about involving the PUBLIC (you) in the PUBLIC’S (your) business.  At issue was the following agenda item, “Discuss/Approve the Architect for the new technology/advanced studies center.”

WHAT? When did we decide to build another new building?  Aren’t we broke? All the news has been about teacher layoffs and lack of classroom supplies, etc. What in the world is going on? (Let me be clear:  I am staunchly in favor of a new vocational facility.  We’ve needed this for years.  I even addressed the Board expressing my support of it, but reminding them of their obligation to involve the public.)

Mainly, I wanted to know why this new board – at least as evidenced by the agenda – was seeming to follow in its predecessors’ footsteps of proceeding with such big changes with no public input.

Here’s what I found out:

• Prior to the meeting there had apparently been an understanding among the Board that they were not going to discuss the architect contract, but rather, the scheduling of public input meetings! (Yea!  Ok.  Looking good.)
• There is apparently a pot of money set aside that can only be used for building.  This is not the Board’s fault.  This is by law set by the legislature or the County Commission (1% sales tax – and I don’t understand all that so don’t quote me as an authority on it.  I just know it can’t be spend on anything but bricks and mortar.)
• There is also some Federal stimulus money money available via 0% loan (but remember that the loan would have to be serviced, interest or no.)
• Board Members Earnestine Tucker and Kelly Horwitz were vocal in their support of receiving public input prior to awarding the architect contract.  Mrs. Tucker said that it was crucial to allow public input first to show good faith and build good will in the community.  They felt that the public should be educated about the financial situation to avoid misunderstandings and a further erosion of trust.  Kelly Horwitz pointed out that it is nearly a million-dollar contract ($997,580.00) and that approving it prior to public input will be symbolic (negatively).
• Jeff Johnson, who is in charge of Buildings and Grounds for the system, insists that we have to have an architect from the very outset – even to attend the public input meetings!  He said an architect will keep the planning and construction on track and pace.  It costs money for every day of delay.  Superintendent Levey added that we are on a tight schedule here.  Board member Harry Lee asked if we needed to take bids for the architecture contract.  Answer:  No.
• In spite of the apparent agreement not to approve the architect contract, board member Tulane Duke suggested that they do so.  Harry Lee moved to approve and Ms. Duke seconded.
• Kelly Horwitz again pointed out that this was a large commitment to which Jeff Johnson replied,  that it is not because the Board could cancel at any time.  Mrs. Horwitz, who is an experienced attorney, asked where the termination clause was in the contract.  At this point there was an inquiry of the Board lawyer, Dave Ryan, who was in attendance, about where the termination clause was.  He did not have it.
• Kelly Horwitz moved to table the motion to approve the contract and James Minyard seconded.  The vote was 6-2 to table.  The no votes were Dan Meissner and Tulane Duke.  (Even Harry Lee, who originally made the motion, voted to table it. ) Common Sense Prevails!

But wait!  There’s more!

No public input meetings have happened, but on the agenda for tonight’s Board of Education Open Work Session there sits the following agenda item:

“Discuss/Approve the Architect for Programming and Schematic Design of the new technology/advanced studies center”

Obviously I live in a parallel universe.

Riverfront Condos – update

Here is a link to the story in this morning’s Tuscaloosa News outlining what happened last night at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting with regard to this project. Basically, the buck was passed to the City Council. Stay tuned.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20100121/NEWS/100129950/1007?p=1&tc=pg

Riverfront Condos, Shops, etc. to be approved TODAY!

It looks like the controversial condo/retail/restaurant project on the river across from the Guild’s Wood neighborhood is on again.  The Tuscaloosa City Planning and Zoning Commission is set to approve it at what looks to be either a special meeting or a changed meeting time since Monday was a holiday.  Anyway, the meeting is TODAY, Wednesday, January 20, 2010.  Agenda.

Bus Route Change Meeting TODAY!!

Sorry for the late notice on this.  I’m digging out from months of campaigning for Marvin Lucas for the District 6 School Board seat – which I am happy to report he won on Tuesday!

There is a route change hearing TODAY at 2:00 p.m.  Click here for the notice.

Opportunity Knocks: “Public Involvement Meeting”

…not sure what this is about, but with the belief that when offered the opportunity to participate in our government functions we should try to do so, I thought I’d pass on this announcement run in the legal advertisement section of the T-News.  (I looked for a link on the City’s website so I wouldn’t have to retype it, but, although will have been advertised at least 4 times in the legals, it is not listed on the City’s calendar or on the Water Department’s page.)

LEGAL NOTICE ANNOUNCEMENT

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MEETING

DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND

CITY OF TUSCALOOSA

The City of Tuscaloosa will hold a Public Involvement Meeting to discuss a Supplement to the Environmental Information Document (EID) for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management associated with the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan application for 2003.  The meeting will be held as follows:

DATE:  September 23, 2009

PLACE:  Jerry Plott Water Treatment Plant, 2101 New Watermelon Road, Tuscaloosa, AL  35406.

TIME:  6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

This facility is handicapped accessible.

This supplemental document includes alternatives for repairs and replacement of the flocculator equipment at the Ed Love Water Treatment Plant.  The purpose of this public involvement meeting is to acquaint the public with the alternatives and to solicit views and comments.  It will be an “informal” “walk-in” meeting and participants may come at any time between the hours shown to view the EID, ask questions, and discuss the project with City representatiaves.  A copy of the original EID and the supplement are available at the Ed Love Water Treatment Plant for viewing before the public involvment meeting.

Anyone needing further information should contact Almon Associates, Inc., P.O. Drawer 2729, Tuscaloosa, aL  35403 (205) 349-2100.

I am so happy to see the City reaching out to the public.  Maybe soon they will enact the Early Notification/Public Participation Ordinance proposed by Tuscaloosa Neighborhoods Together…

Opportunity Knocks: Long-Range Transportation (Roadway) Plan

On Monday, August 31, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Policy Committee will be meeting at the offices of the West Alabama Regional Commission, 4200 Highway 69 North, Suite 1, Northport, Alabama.

The MPO Policy Committee plans how federal highway and transit funds are spent in Tuscaloosa County.  The five voting members of the Policy Committee are the mayors of Tuscaloosa and Northport, the County Commission Chairman, the Alabama Department of transportation Fifth Division Engineer, and the Executive Director of the West Alabama Regional Commission.

The Committee is expected to discuss the Draft 2035 Long-Range Transportation Plan, the proposed Transportation Improvement Program amendments and the FY2010 Rebalanced Transportation Improvement Program.

Opportunity Knocks: City Bus System

This is offered as follow-up to the previous posts on the Trolley (bus) system:

Friday, August 28, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. the Tuscaloosa County Parking and Transit Authority will hold a public hearing regarding a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant application amendment.  The hearing will be at the Tuscaloosa City Hall, 2201 University Blvd.,  in the Daugherty Room.

The application amendment is for a Capital and Operating Assistance Formula grant, also called a Section 5340 grant.  This grant will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  The Transit Authority will use the grant for operations costs, acquiring equipment, and making renovations related to the fixed route/demand response transit system in the Tuscaloosa area.  The funds from the grant will be expended during fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011.  The application’s Program of Projects (POP) includes the acquisition of four 35-foot replacement buses, two replacement vans, two support vehicles, computer hardware for the demand response vans and the transit office, security cameras for the rolling stock and miscellaneous equipment (time clocks, fare box testing equipment, protable fare box data unit).  The POP also included projects to renovate the Transit Authority’s shop, operate the system, and provide preventive maintenance work.  The grant is composed of $1,870,524 federal funda and $0.00 local funds.

Elections! More information on finances.

I added my spreadsheets on Bobby Howard, Coach Cunningham and Bill Tinker.  I know there are some other candidates that I didn’t cover but either I simply missed their filings when I was looking through the files at the Probate Judge’s office or they weren’t there.  If a candidate doesn’t raise more than $1,000 they don’t have to file anything, so that could also be the case.  I put all those links in the previous post so they would all be in one place.

Please vote Tuesday.

As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said, “The most important political office is that of the private citizen.”  There is nothing that any of our elected representatives do that we don’t either let them do or let them get away with.   We have the control and it’s called the vote!