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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/2003 B A K E R S F I E L D ~ ~-//~'~-~ Jacquie Sullivan, Chair Alan Tandy, City Manager Sue Benham Staff: Alan Christensen Irma Carson AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT - COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, November 12, 2003, 1:30 p.m. Suite 201, City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 1. ROLL CALL Called to Order at 1:31 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Jacquie Sullivan, Chair; Sue Benham and Irma Carson 2. ADOPT OCTOBER 29, 2003 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT . Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS Rich O'Neil, Kern River Parkway Foundation, spoke regarding names to be considered for the park located at Buena Vista Road and Stockdale Highway (now referred to as Rio Vista Park). 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Staff report and Committee recommendation on Aquatic Renovation Plan City Manager Alan Tandy provided background information. Several years ago the Recreation and Parks Director reported to the Committee on the condition of some of the City's very old pools, which were beyond their useful life and the need for a plan to be undertaken to deal with the aging pools. Over the last couple of years the first phase included the McMurtrey Aquatic Center and renovations are ~, planned at Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jefferson pools. The opportunity to continue with a second phase has arisen as the City has been awarded $1.6 million in State Bond money from Proposition 40 for recreation projects. Agenda Summary Repte~ Community Services Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Page - 2- The City Manager explained media coverage has provided a simplistic view that the McMurtrey Aquatic Center is causing the closure of two pools, which is not the complete story. An analysis of the City's pools was done, which showed that many of the pools are beyond their useful life and eight of the pools needed to be dealt with by closure, replacement or renovation. The origin of the pool issues was to develop a plan to deal with the aging pools and provide needed swim facilities. Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen gave the first part of a computer presentation on the aquatic renovation plan also contained in the memorandum included in the Committee packet. Spray parks pictured in the presentation for Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jefferson Parks will not be done in the first phase due to lack of funding. Superintendent of Recreation Sally Ihmels continued the presentation and provided an update on meetings, marketing and programs proposed for the McMurtrey Aquatic Center. Highlights from the memorandum in the packet and shown on computer presentation included: · A map showing the location of the pools. · Attendance at the pools. Recreational swimming has the highest attendance; however, the highest revenue sources are from pool parties and swim lessonS. · Operational costs were derived by dividing the net operating loss by the number of persons swimming at each pool to determine the cost per swimmer per day at each facility last season. The highest cost was Wayside at $74 per swimmer, Planz at $63, Siemon at $51, Jastro at $40 and Beale at $28. · The attendance chart for recreational swimming was reviewed. For 2003, Wayside pool had the lowest attendance with 1,708 swimmers and Silver Creek had the highest with 8,207 swimmers. · It was noted one technology that would reduce maintenance costs at older pools would be automated chemical systems, which are safer for employees, reduce chemical costs by one-third and save staff time by eliminating manually balancing chemicals. Automated chemical systems are included in the planned renovations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jefferson pools. Recreation Supervisor Holly Larson continued the presentation. In June 2000, Aquatic Design Group reviewed all the pool facilities for code violations, mechanical and structural deficiencies, and listed improvements to maintain current programming and keep the pool facilities operational. The estimated repair costs listed in the study are not reflective of current prices, so repair costs may be higher. In March 2003, Slater Plumbing & Mechanical Inc. conducted a video analysis of the piping at Wayside, Beale, Jastro, Siemon and PlanZ pools. Based Agenda Summary Report Community Services Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Page - 3- upon these studies, the three pools in the poorest physical condition are Wayside, Beale and Planz. Staff has been informed by the County Health Department that code violations at these three pools may prevent them from being opened in June 2004 unless some of the problems are corrected. Presentation highlights included: Wayside Pool (1962) Slater Plumbing's study reported the return piping is obstructed with rust and debris and the camera was unable to get through the pipes. Their recommendation was replacement of return piping, which must be accessed through the concrete decking. Also, approximately two feet of the south and north skimmer piping is cracked. The water turnover rate does not meet the 6-hour State mandate. Daily backwash of the filter was necessary this past season to turnover the water, which added additional operational costs. Wayside pool is "grandfathered" under the State Code and any change in piping/decking may force repair of all code violations and ADA accessibility requirements in order to open the facility. Repairs of piping, decking and code violations are estimated at $200,000+. These repairs are minimal just to get the pool open for the 2004 season and do not include costs to renovate the pool. There also have been high rates of vandalism at Wayside pool. Beale Pool (1932) Some of the leaking issue was resolved last year by cementing the main drain. There is a minor leak in the scum gutter system. Most of the water from gutters drains into the sump, but there is water leaking under the pool deck, so a pool shell and pump room renovation will be necessary to stop this leak. The wading pool is not operating as it does not comply with the State Code, which requires one-hour turnover rate in wading pools. The City was given permission by the County Health Department to operate Beale pool in 2003 with the understanding that a plan was being developed to address identified issues and make repairs in the near future. The cost of installing new piping, filtration system and safe equipment is between $185,000 and $200,000. Planz Pool (1962) The Slater Plumbing report noted twelve inches of cast iron piping at the east skimmer are brittle and need to be replaced. In addition 24 inches of cast iron piping at the west skimmer area need to be replaced. This pool also needs to be backwashed daily because of the clogged pipes. Agenda Summary Report Community Services Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Page - 4- There are two absolutely critical repairs at Planz pool that must be completed before summer 2004. The pump room cement floor and decking are deteriorating and need repair, with an estimated repair cost of $17,000. The return line on the south side of the pool shell has a hole and shoots water out of the pool side seams and has an estimated repair cost of $16,000, but may run higher when the pipes are dug up. Jastro Pool was built in 1960-62 and has health code and ADA violations but is in the best physical shape in comparison with the other older pools. This pool has a heater and is used annually by the high schools during the school year. Alan Christensen continued the presentation of the Aquatic Renovation Plan with an overview of staff recommendations from the memorandum in the packet: Phase II (1 to 2 Years) Phase II includes dealing with safety and code violation repairs. Highlights from the memorandum included in the packet included: 1. Because of declining attendance, poor physical condition and age, close Wayside pool permanently in spring of 2004. If closure of Wayside is an undesirable option, than a second choice would be Beale pool. This action would meet the Council's decision to close two pools to offset the operating costs of the McMurtrey Aquatic Center. Saunders pool was closed in 2002-03. 2. Replace the closed pool with a water playground for $275,000. An additional $50,000 is budget for demolition of the closed pool. Because of construction timelines and funding availability, the spray park would be completed after the summer season in late 2004. 3. Immediate code and safety repairs need to be done to open pools for the summer swim season in 2004. Proposition 40 monies and Park Impact fees could be used. Recommended repairs include: A. Repair decking and pump room floor at Planz pool $ 17,000 B. Repair shell leak at Planz pool 16,000 C. Repair decking at Siemon pool 14,000 D. Automated chemical systems at Jastro or Beale 38,000 E. Contingency 15,000 Total: $100,000 Agenda Summary Rep~o~rt Community Services Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Page - 5- 4. With new park construction, every fourth park should have a wet playground feature. Wet playgrounds that are approximately 3,500 square feet currently cost $200,000 - $250,000. Phase III (2 - 5 years) 1. Construct a new pool at Planz Park, which would accommodate schools. Plan the pool with a zero-depth entry, attached 25 yard lanes and water features. Design would need to start in the near future. The majority of funding could come from Proposition 40 monies and CDBG funds. Contributions could be pursued from the Kern High School District, which would use the facility during winter and spring. New pools are estimated to cost $3 million each. 2. When Planz pool is completed, another older facility should be closed and replaced with .a wet playground at a cost of $275,000 including demolition of the closed pool. Phase IV (5 years or more) 1. Construct a new pool in the northeast to meet current and future needs. 2. Construct a new pool in the southwest to meet current and future demand. 3. Replace or renovate Siemon pool and any other existing pools not yet renovated, reconstructed or replaced with wet playgrounds. Add a wet playground to Silver Creek Park. It was discussed the spray parks (wet playgrounds) are a nice amenity. They do not require lifeguards, there is no admission charge and families enjoy them. Staff has visited facilities in other cities and spray parks are very inviting and popular with a better response from the community than a traditional pool. Committee Member Carson made the following comments regarding the plan to close Wayside pool: · She just received the information on Monday and has not had an opportunity to meet with the community and let them know about the meeting today so they could voice their concerns. · She expressed concerns about taking away an existing pool from the neighborhood just to operate the new pool. · The attendance at Wayside pool was Iow because it has not been maintained and swimmers go to the better-maintained pools. · Proposition 40 monies could be used to upgrade the pools in the lower-income areas where people have no backyard pools. Agenda Summary Report Community Services Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Page - 6- · The City's commitment should be more balanced. Parity is not achieved by closing swimming pools in the lower-income areas and planning for future new pools in the northeast and southwest where there are many backyard pools. · She requested more time to meet with staff and the community before making a decision. City Manager Alan Tandy explained he is aware this is a large issue. The only approval staff is requesting today is to proceed with the emergency repairs listed in Phase II, Item 3 to be able to open the pools for the 2004 swimming season. The estimated cost is $100,000 and includes the following: A. Repair decking and pump room floor at Planz pool $ 17,000 B. Repair shell leak at Planz pool 16,000 C. Repair decking at Siemon pool 14,000 D. Automated chemical systems at Jastro or Beale 38,000 E. Contingency 15,000 Committee Member Carson agreed to the above-listed repairs to be able to open the pools for the 2004 swim season and made a motion for staff to proceed. The Committee unanimously approved. Committee Member Benham made the following comments: · With respect to Wayside pool, if it is ultimately decided by the Committee to recommend to the Council the closure of Wayside, she would not support the closure unless the spray park is in place when the pool is closed, so the community would not have to go through a summer without a water element. · She requested more information from staff on the vandalism at Wayside pool. · With respect to the McMurtrey facility, she agrees the media has taken a simplistic view that the McMurtrey facility is causing the pool closures. All the pools discussed are reaching the limits of their useful lives. · While it is true the older pools are located in lower-income areas, the new McMurtrey Aquatic Center is also located in a lower-income area and should be heavily used by the community. · She expressed she is an advocate of aquatic facilities, but would like more thought from staff on why we are recommending in five years new pools in the northeast and southwest, and when we are discussing the older parks, recommending closing obsolete pools and replacing with spray parks. Committee Chair Sullivan expressed from a personal-neighborhood individual family position, she would not want to support closing any additional pools in neighborhood parks before the planned spray park is in place and ready for use and asked staff if a spray park could be in place by summer 2004 or the pool closure delayed for a year. Agenda Summary Report Community Services Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Page - 7- Alan Christensen responded. With Committee/Council approval to close a pool, staff could get a spray park ready for use in summer of 2004, but would need to start with design plans and bidding very soon. Alan Tandy expressed with the health code violations and safety issues, perhaps an accelerated process would be possible. The Committee requested information for the next Committee discussion on the shutdowns that occurred at the older pools last summer due to the need for repairs; swimming lesson availability at other locations when a pool is closed and replaced with a spray park; and possible future plans for Saunders Park. Committee Chair Sullivan and Committee Member Benham expressed closing a pool in Committee Member Carson's Ward is a sensitive issue and asked if Ms. Carson would meet with the community and have staff present the information on a spray park and share the community's response from that meeting with the Committee. Committee Member Carson will have a meeting with the community regarding Wayside Park pool and requested staff to provide her with more information on the $1.6 million State Bond money from Proposition 40. 5. NEW BUSINESS 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Staff attendance: City Manager Alan Tandy; Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen; City Attorney Ginny Gennaro; Assistant Recreation and Parks Director Allen Abe; Recreation Supervisor Josh Romine; Asst. Superintendent of Recreation Sally Ihmels; Recreation Supervisor Holly Larson; and Recreation Program Coordinator Beigher Taylor Others: Amy Hilvers, staff writer, The Bakersfield Californian; Jim Scott and camera man, KGET TV; Rich O'Neil, Kern River Parkway Foundation; Gene Albitre, President, North American Heritage Preservation Council of Kern County cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council S:~AC~2003ComSer~03novl 2summary.doc