posted by Joe Polk at 8:31 PM /
Reported as a "cost-cutting move", two Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority workers lost their jobs this week. Operations manager Sherry Harkins, who had worked for the authority for 28 years, and assistant director David Egler, a three-year employee, lost their jobs in the layoffs. The authority eliminated the positions, which will save it about $100,000 annually, Executive Director Rich Sahar said.
It is interesting to note that as a result of the layoffs, the authority now has room to create a new Internet technology position, according to Sahar.
Link: www.mtlparkingauthority.com
It is interesting to note that as a result of the layoffs, the authority now has room to create a new Internet technology position, according to Sahar.
Link: www.mtlparkingauthority.com
1 Comments:
From the “You can’t make this stuff up” Chronicles:
The Authority (MLPA) has been in tough fiscal straits since its FY ’04, with no action by the Board to correct the situation until the very end of FY ’06, despite a particularly miserable FY ’05. Part of the problem stems from the MLPA’s propensity for borrowing money without a concrete plan (financial or otherwise).
The MLPA borrowed money (with the Municipality’s support and guarantee) to build the Academy Avenue lot WITHOUT preparing a pro forma for the project, even though its own back of the envelope analysis indicated the lot would lose money for years. An early project estimate pegged the cost at $1.0MM, which was later revised upward to $1.57MM. Ultimately the final cost is closer to $2.5MM and the project will reportedly be completed on plan.
Shortly thereafter, the MLPA borrowed an additional $800K to build a parking deck at the “proposed” hotel site on Washington Road. A project which never materialized. The $800K was, in part, later put to use finishing the Academy Avenue lot, thereby enabling it to be completed on plan – but making the economics all the worse.
In the late ‘80s, the MLPA borrowed a few million $$ for another Uptown project that never materialized. This money was spent on fruitless planning and other “necessary” expenditures.
The Municipality actively partners with the Authority in all these activities – how about a little active leadership?
Lest we forget, the Commission recently bypassed several residents for a Library Board position only to appoint the Municipality’s Assistant Manager because of what the Municipality perceived as a possible lack of fiscal accountability.
But what about fiscal accountability at the MLPA?
Oh yeah - - A few years ago in a Monday night revolution – the Commission tossed out the sitting MLPA board and replaced it with hand picked mercenaries to seize control of the MLPA. 4 of these 5 individuals remain embedded at the MLPA.
Notably, one is the project director for Zamagias Properties that is buying the MLPA land on Washington Road to build $475,000 luxury condominiums AND has been bestowed with the Municipality’s support for a $6.4MM public subsidy via Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
Like I said – You can’t make this stuff up!
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