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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 BAKERSFIELD Economic and Community Development Department MEM 0 RAN D.U M December 17, 2003 TO: Alan Tandy, City Manager FROM: Donna L. Kunz, Economic Development Director Alan Christensen, Acting Recreation and Parks Director/~j SUBJECT: Pool Closure and Sprayground at Wayside Park Because of budget uncertainty at the state level which is affecting the City's general fund, staff is asking the Community Services Committee to consider one pool closure at this meeting. We will bring back a long-term Aquatics Renovation Plan when our revenue picture is more certain. At the last committee meeting no decision was reached regarding a pool closure. Staff is recommending: 1) closure of Wayside Pool, and 2) construction of a sprayground at Wayside Park, which would open in time for the 2004 summer swim season. Closure of Wayside Pool is in line with the City Council's direction to close an additional pool prior to the open of the 2004 summer season. A decision regarding which pool will be closed must be made promptly; if not, repairs at other pools cannot be completed in time for the summer season opening. The recommendation is based upon attendance, expensive repairs required to open it, and the recognition that it has exceeded its useful life. Staff estimates it will cost at least $200,000 in improvements to open the pool for summer. Construction of a sprayground adjacent to the existing pool at Wayside will provide a recreation alternative that has proven to be very popular in other communities like ours. Staff' is recommending a design-build construction format to reduce costs and expedite construction. Public Works estimates that a 2,000 square foot sprayground would cost about $300,000 under the above assumptions. This size is about the same as were planned for MLK Park and Jefferson Park before these items were eliminated because of budget constraints. There is limited funding for a sprayground. Wayside Park is not in the Southeast Redevelopment Project Area, so it is not eligible for redevelopment funds. That leaves CDBG as the only direct source available. The following projects could be reprogrammed: 1. Stramler Park Playground Equipment $80,000 2. Kern-Tech Business Loan Repayment $35,000 3. Lowell Park Recreation Trailers $125,000 4. Business Loans .$377,000 Total CDBG Available $617,000 There are a few alternatives that could provide enough funding: 1. Re-program items 1,2, and 3 ($240,000) and shift $60,000 from Business 2. Re-program $300,000 from item 4 - Business Loans leaving $77,000 remaining. 3. Any other combination of projects totaling $300,000. If Lowell Park Trailers is shifted to the pay for a Wayside sprayground, other funds can be used to backfill it. Lowell Park is located in the Southeast Redevelopment Project Area. The modular unit cost of $120,000 can be shifted to available SE Tax Increment freeing up the CDBG funds for eligible Wayside spray park costs. Wayside is not located in the SE Redevelopment project area, however, due to some of its Iow income census information, it may be eligible for CDBG funding if qualified users can be established. Staffing for Lowell Park recreation is scheduled to be cut almost completely because part-time employees are scheduled to be let go. However, staffing for Lowell Park could be shifted to CDBG if necessary. This year HUD approved a targeted neighborhood revitalization area in the Southeast for our City. The approved area includes Lowell Park. Establishing this special revitalization area allows us further flexibility in using our CDBG funds to deliver special recreation and other neighborhood programs to Iow income neighborhoods located in the mapped area. Programs that are delivered by qualified Community Based Development Organizations - CBDO's, are exempt from the 15% Public Service Cap associated with CDBG funds. An example of a local Community Based Development Organization would be Community Action Partnership. A request for proposals would need to be prepared and a service provider selected beginning July 1,2004. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT I MEETING DATE: November 19, 2003 AGENDA SECTION: New Business J · ITEM: I~. 0L. TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council AEE[ROVED FROM: Donna L. Kunz, Economic Development Director DEPARTMENT HEAD DATE: November 12, 2003 CITY ATTORNEY SUBJECT: Lease cancellation and closure of International Square. (WARD 2) RECOMMENDATION: Community Services Committee recommends approval. BACKGROUND: Historically, International Square was developed by the Southern Pacific TranspOrtation Company railroad as a place for their employees to socialize, play board games, and gather with their families. In 1970 the City of Bakersfield entered into a lease with the railroad to use the railroad property for beautification purposes. The lease states tliat the City agrees to keep the area free and clear of rubbish and to maintain the area in a neat and safe condition. The lease also states that the City is liable for injuries to persons in the park arising from the use of the park. Over the last 33 years, the lease has remained in existence and the City has continued to maintain the park. Unfortunately, over time, the park has become a magnet for an inCreasing transient population and a focal point for illegal activity, contributing to a negative image for the Baker Street area. In an attempt to address the negative situations at the park, a group of representatives from the City of Bakersfield, Association of Old Town Kern, Bakersfield Rescue Mission, and the Old T~)wn Kern-Pioneer Redevelopment Project Area Committee began meeting in April 2001. The end result was the development of an action plan that aimed to address numerous issues associated with the deterioration of International Square. The focus of this group effort was to clean up International Square and Baker Street and encourage positive uses of the park. '. . On September 5, 2001, the Community Service Committee presented to City Council an aCtion plan containing the following short-term and long-term goals for International Square: 1) Short-term plan - Develop the Square into a safe, clean and secure urban green .space, promoting economic growth in the area; and 2) Lon.q-term plan - Redevelop the square area into some type of alternate use. All agreed at that time that International Park should remain because of its potential as a positive green asset and it being the only open space adjacent to Baker Street. o - S:~Admins\City Council\lntemational square closure.doc 11/12/2003 9:52 AM ~' · ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Page 2 In an effort to gain some control over the park, the City installed a wrought iron fence with locking gates around the perimeter. Initially, enclosing the park helped control the spread of trash and limited park hours. In addition, the Bakersfield Rescue Mission volunteered to Iock'and unlock the gates, respectively at 10 p.m. and at 5 a.m. The Mission also recommends to groups "feeding" at the park that they are welcome to use of the Pavilion Park located at the Bakersfield Rescue Mission. Over the last 2~ years, conditions at the Square have not .improved. Instead they continue to get worse. Illegal activities such as alcohol use, drug activity, prostitution, urination,' and defecation have created a public nuisance in this area. The park is known as a hang-out for vagrants, and transients. Parks had to turn off the water spigot located under the shade awning because people were showering and washing clothes them. Park users have alSo been storing their personal belongings within the fenced area which sometimes looks like a campground. The slump stone wall is used for urination and defecation needs. The feedings continue but are more discreet, as food recipients refuse to tell officers who provided the food. Overall, health and safety conditions have worsened to the point that Park employees spend at least one hour per day 'cleaning the park to pick up trash, personal belongings, syringes, and human waste. According to the Recreation & Parks Department several maintenance problems exist at the site..The following situations make it expensive and potentially dangerous for City employees maintaining International Square:. 1) Difficult to work around persons sleeping; 2) Concern for exposure to blood borne pathogens; 3) Concems for issues of disease from urine and fecal matter; 4) Restmoms ~were previously provided but were destroyed; and 5) Estimated labor cost of to $11,85C)/yr to maintain International Square, ¼ acre in size, is 31% higher than a seven (7) acre neighborhood park which costs $8,171 per year to maintain. For example, it costs the City $11,848.28/year to maintain International Square, ¼ acre in size, with no amenities. It costs the City $8,171.23/year to maintain Beale Park, seven (7) acres in size, which hosts picnic areas, amphitheater, swimming pool, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and restrooms. Staff has spoken to the Real Estate Director, Mr. Jim Larson for the Union Pacific Railroad (the current owner) and he believes it would be best if the City returned the parcel to them without any park type improvements (pavilion, water, fence, concrete pads, block wall, trees and grass) as required by the lease agreement. Public Works has a use for the fence in the next phase of landscaping around Baker Street. Mr. Larson indicates the railroad is open to selling the parcel to a developer and should the site be considered for development in the future, most likely, a vacant cleared parcel will be necessary in order to allow a developer to design a functional new use. Demolition' costs to return the square to its original state will be jointly completed by in-house forces from the Recreation and Parks Department, Public Works Department and specialized outside contract services as required. Staff estimates the total cost to complete the demolition in this manner to not exceed $30,000. Staff has identified that funds for this purpose can be administratively transferred from the CDBG - Acquisition and Clearance account for economic development to the Clearance and Demolition account for economic development in an amount not to exceed 30% or $30,000. There is currently $2~10,000 available in the Acquisition and Clearance for economic development account. Alternative green space is now available for legitimate park users at the Pavilion Park developed approximately 1~ years ago by the Bakersfield Rescue Mission. It is located about one block east of International Square. Access to the Pavilion is somewhat controlled in that patrons must be drug and alcohol free to use it. The Rescue Mission also provides food and showers to patrons. Service groups can also use the Pavilion for "feedings" and worship services. · Attached is a memo from the Police Department giving additional details concerning the unsafe and unhealthy conditions that plague the park. They are also in support of closing the park. s:~Admins\City council\International square closure.doc 11/12/20039:52 AM ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Page 3 The Community Services Committee met on October 29, 2003 to discuss the closure of Intemational Square and is recommending a 30 day notice be sent to the .railroad canceling the City's lease at the end of December 2003 and that the park be dismantled and returned to the railroad for their private use, until at such time private development efforts can be attracted to purchase the property from the railroad and redevelop the area with a positive alternate use. S:~Admins\City Council~lntemational square closure.doc 11112/20039:52 AM BAKERSFIELD POLICE MEMORANDUM October 6, 2003 To: Bryan L. Lynn, Captain, Operations Division From: Bob Bivens, Lieutenant, Operations Division Subject: International Square International Square and the surrounding area continue to lead the City in criminal activity and quality of life issues. International Square is located in Reporting District 300. Within this Repbrting District there are many Iow end motels that cater to single room occupancy tenants. Many of these tenants are registered sex offenders and drug offenders placed in these motels by the California Department of Corrections. In mid-2001, I was the East Area Commander and was involved with 'the efforts of the Old Town Kern Association to clean up International Square. Several options were presented to the Old Town Kern business owners and community members. One option was to terminate the lease of the property and return it to the railroad. The committee sought community input and opted to build a fence around the park. The fence was intended to make the park more secure at night and discourage persons wanting to commit drug and alcohol related crimes. Unfortunately, the fence has done little or nothing to discourage the criminal element and the crimes associated with loitering at the park all day. The Crime Analysis Unit has identified Reporting Districts 300, 301, and 304, as the second highest level of crime density in the City. These Reporting Districts boarder each other and contain approximately thirty-two motels, all in walking distance of International Square. Our Sexual Assault Unit has identified as many as seventy-five registered sex offenders living in the motels of these three Reporting Districts. Captain Bryan L. Lynn Re: Inter. national'Square October 6, 2003 Page 2. I spoke with our foot beat officers, Officer.Fred Torres and Officer Alex Menendez about International Square. They said they are averaging approximately five heroin sales/ possession arrest a month in the park. They also average about thirty citations a month for various crimes including open containers, urinating in the public, and possession of less than an once of marijuana. Both feel the park is merely a gathering place for criminal activity, rather than a recreational facility for families. They felt the facility and programs provided by Bethany Services encourage the lawful use of open space for relaxation and recreation. I requested the Crime Analysis Unit complete crime stats for the current year January through August, 2003. There were 368 Part I Crimes committed; 926 offense reports, and 760 arrests made in Reporting Districts 300,301, and 304. RB:plp PUBLIC STATEMENTS SPEAKER'S CARD Community Services Committee Committee of the City Council Committee Meeting Date i~..~° ~C;~° ~ ~'~ You are invited to address the Committee under Public Statements on any subject that is listed on the Committee Agenda. Public statements are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker with a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes, per side, for any one subject. The Committee may, by simple majority vote, waive the time limit. No action will be taken; this Committee gathers information and reports back to the City Council. Please fill out a Speaker's Card and present it to the Committee Chair: Jacquie Sullivan Company/ O Organization: J I,<~/%~L~ ~ Phone: <~ "71' 5 2., 7~,~ Fax/e-mail: PUBLIC STATEMENTS SPEAKER'S CARD Community Services Committee Committee of the Cit/y Council Committee Meeting Date You are invited to address the Committee under Public Statements on any subject that is listed on the Committee Agenda. Public statements are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker with a maximum of f'~teen (15) minutes, per side, for any one subject. The Committee may, by simple majority vote, waive the time limit. No action will be taken; this Committee gathers information and reports back to the City Council. Please fill out a Speaker's Card and present it to the Committee Chair: Jacquie Sullivan Name: Company/ Organization: Address: Phone: -7 Subject: PUBLIC STATEMENTS SPEAKER'S CARD Community Services Committee Committee of the City Council Committee Meeting Date You are invited to address the Committee under Public Statements on any subject that is listed on the Committee Agenda. Public statements are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker with a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes, per side, for any one subject. The Committee may, by simple majority vote, waive the time limit. No action will be taken; this Committee gathers information and reports back to the City Council. Please fill out a Speaker's Card and present it to the Committee Chair: Jacquie Sullivan Name: ~ ~) (~ ~ "~")- ~) ~ Company/ Organization: - Address: [,(Q(~ "~ ,--'~~ ~ Phone: j Fax/e-mail: Subject: PUBLIC STATEMENTS SPEAKER'S CARD Community Services Committee Committee of the City Council Committee Meeting Date /"~/~,~ You are invited to address the Committee under Pul~lic Statements on any subject that is listed on the Committee Agenda. Public statements are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker with a maximum of rReen (15) minutes, per side, for any one subject. The Committee may, by simple majority vote, waive the time limit. No action will be taken; this Committee gathers information and reports back to the City Council. Please fill out a Speaker's Card and present it to the Committee Chair: ~ ~ ~ ~_/ Jacquie Sullivan Organization: ~-C~ OC. ~F ~ T~t.)z.~ Phone: ~-' ~'~(~ Fax/e-mail: U ' Subject: ~---~ ~ ~,~O~-/~4~,-- B A K E .R S F I E L D CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE MEMORANDUM DATE: June 26, 2003 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: ALAN CHRISTENSEN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER ~ SUBJECT: COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMI'n'EE MEETING ON JULY 2nd CANCELED The Special Community Services Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 2nd at 1:30 p.m. has been canceled. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, July 23rd at 1:30 p.m. e-mail: City Manager and staff Department Heads ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council APPROVED FROM: Stan Ford, Director of Recreation and Parks DEPARTMENT HEAD~ DATE: May 13, 2002 CITY ATTORNEY CITY MANAGER /~/ SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolution approving one Native Amedcan name designation at River Oaks Park and two Native American name designations at Yokuts Park. (Wards 4, 5) RECOMMENDATION: Community Services Committee recommends adoption of resolution. BACKGROUND: On November 29, 2000, the City Council approved Resolution No. 142-00 which approved three Native American name designations and provided a process for future designations. The resolution states that future requests for name designations will first be presented to the Citizens' Community Services Advisory Committee, which in turn will forward its recommendation to the Community Services Committee. The Native'American Heritage Preservation Council's current request is to add a Native Amedcan name to the River Oaks Park sign and place two boulders at Yokuts Park beadng plaques with Native Amedcan names. On November 13, 2001, the Citizens' Community Services Advisory Committee approved ' the addition of the Native American name "Cholich Kenim" to the River Oaks Park sign. The park sign would have three lines: River Oaks Park, Cholich Kenim, and the last line, City of Bakersfield. In addition, the Committee approved the placement of two large boulders at Yokuts Park. Each boulder would have a plaque with phonetic spelling and Native American definitions of "Pe-esh-e" and "Kodis." Staff has met with representatives of the Native American group and Coleman Homes who have agreed to allow the name to be added to the River Oaks Park sign. The Native Amedcan Heritage' Preservation Council will pay fOr the additional expense .to add the name to the River Oaks Park sign and provide the boulders and plaques for Yokuts Park. The proposed resolution approves the above-mentioned names. The Community Services Committee met on April 17, 2002, and recommended the Council adopt the resolution. May 13, 2002, 9:24am P:~Admin Rpts\Native Indian Name-Admin.wpd RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION APPROVING THREE NATIVE AMERICAN NAME DESIGNATIONS ON THE KERN RIVER PARKWAY. WHEREAS, the Kern River Parkway Plan, which encompasses the area between the mouth of the Kern River Canyon and Interstate Highway 5 permits the naming of locations along such area with names of people or places directly related to the Kern River; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 142-00, such naming requests must first be approved by the Community Services Advisory Committee and then the Community Services Committee before being submitted to the Bakersfield City Council; and WHEREAS, the current request of the Native American Heritage Preservation Council of Kern County (Preservation Council) is to assign the name of "Cholich Kenim" to the River Oaks Park sign and the placement of two large boulders at Yokuts Park, each with a plaque including the phonetic names and Native American definitions of "Pe-esh-e" and "Kodis," respectively; and WHEREAS, the Community Services Advisory Committee, on November 13, 2001, approved the request of the Preservation Council to add the Native American name of "Cholich Kenim" to the River Oaks Park sign and the placement of two large boulders at Yokuts Park, each with a plaque with phonetic spelling and Native American definitions of "Pe-esh-e" and "Kodis," respectively; and WHEREAS, the Community Services Committee, on April 17, 2002, approved the request of the Preservation Council to add the Native American name of "Cholich Kenim" to the River Oaks Park sign and the placement of two large boulders at Yokuts Park, each with a plaque with phonetic spelling and Native American definitions of "Pe-esh-e" and "Kodis," respectively; and WHEREAS, the Preservation Council has agreed to provide plaques with phonetic spelling and Native American definition for their new requests as they did for their original dedications; and WHEREAS, the Bakersfield City Council believes such name designations are an appropriate reflection of the community's history and culture; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows: 1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference. 2. The City hereby accepts the above-described Native American name designations along the Kern River Parkway for the areas as described above. 3. The City hereby declares that future requests to name areas along the Kern River Parkway will first be presented to the Citizens Community Services Advisory Committee, which in turn will forward its recommendation to the City Council's Community Services Committee, which in turn will forward its recommendation to the City COuncil at a regularly scheduled meeting for their ultimate decision. ............ O00 .............. -- Paae 2 of 3 Paaes -- · ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT MEETING DATE: May 22, 2002 I AGENDA SECTION: Reports I ITEM: 10.b. TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Development Services - Planning DEPARTMENT HEAE~_:~:~_~_.~ DATE: May 7, 2002 CITY ATTORN CITY MANAGER . .~/ suBjECT: Southeast Charrette Report by Jack Hardisty RECOMMENDATION: BACKGROUND: JH:pjt (admin~may~5-22-sec) May 7, 2002, 4:20pm ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT I MEETING DATE: March 12, 2003 I AGENDA SECTION: Reports I ITEM: ~0. O.. TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council -~ APPROVED FROM: Alan Christensen, Assistant City Manager DEPARTMENT HEAD DATE: February 28, 2003 CITY A'i-rORNEY CITY MANAGER SUBJECT: Community Services Committee Report 1-03 regarding Potential Pool Closures RECOMMENDATION: The Committee requests the full Council make a decision. BACKGROUND: Staff is recommending the closure of Saunders Park pool for the upcoming season with the understanding that it could be turned over to another operator by contract should someone else agree to bear all costs. As part of their approval of the new aquatic complex, the City Council agreed to close two of the existing swimming pools. The intent was to "shift" the operating expenses of the closed pools to partially off-set the operating costs of the new facility. Also at that time, the Council recommended having the Community Services Committee review which pools should be closed, The Committee considered pool closUres at its meeting on February 19, 2003. The following report was provided by staff as background or~ the issue. Factors for the Committee to consider when formulating their recommendation to close pools include: (1) location (i.e. is the park suitable for a public pool), (2) physical condition of the pool and mechanical system, and (3) historical usage. Location: There are six city-operated pools within the three-mile service radius of the new complex. They are Jefferson, MLK, Saunders, Beale, Jastro, and Wayside. Public Works is in the process of hiring a consultant for the renovation of Jefferson and MLK pools. Three of the other pools within the service area are "clustered" together. These are Saunders, Beale, and Jastro. Wayside is the only pool on this list that is south of the new complex. Of these three, only Saunders has off-street parking, is "buffered" from private residences, and has enough land to allow for expansion or a larger replacement pool. Physical Condition: Of the three pools that are in the same general area, Saunders and Beale require repairs beyond the code-related issues that were identified in the pool assessment pedormed by Aquatic Design Group (ADG) in 1999. Jastro, although also needing code-related repairs, is in March 5, 2003, 11:03AM S:~dmin Rpts~003\pool closures 3-12-03.doc AT:al Page 1 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT basically good working condition and is one of the few heated pools in the city which makes this facility suitable for year-round programming. A brief summary of the ADG study is: Beale. Jastro ' Jefferson MLK Planz Saunders Siemon Silver Wayside Creek No. of Code 4 5 9 7 4 5 6 1 5 Violations Estimated Repair $106,163 $105,600 $265,150 $143,293 $123,563 $106,163 $133,545 $7,500~ $106,163 Cost Other Improve- $54,150z $10,655 $24,615 $17,180 $10,655 $10,655 $12,233 None $10,655 merits ~ Repair corn pleted. 2Study did not estimate the cost to repair the unknown source of water loss. In addition to these issues/costs, a follow-up assessment identified a major issue with the piping at Saunders pool. The estimated cost to replace the piping is $150,000-$250,000. Staff is now undertaking further study of the current condition of all City pools, and to further define the costs of necessary improvements. Except for Silver Creek, which is relatively new, and Jefferson and Martin Luther King, Jr. pools, which are scheduled to be rehabilitated, six other pools are being evaluated for potential maintenance problems. Also, staff is re-evaluating Saunders pool and doing further testing at Beale pool to identify the location and size of the leaks there. Results of these studies should be available for Council's review on March 12, 2003. In 1998, the department attempted to determine the source of ongoing water loss at Beale pool. Staff estimated the water loss at appr~oximately 10,000 gallons per week. A geotechnical investigation was conducted. This work included acoustical mapping and coring of the pool shell. Although no obvious source was identified, problems were noted including separation of the topping material from the foundation and considerable cracking in the topping material. In July 2002, the Kern County Environmental Health. Services Department inspected Beale pool and notified the city that the pool bottom (i.e. where the 'cracks are) must be repaired. If something as simple as plastering the pool will be sufficient to correct the cracking problem, that cost will be approximately $50,000 plus any needed preparation. Additional, and thorough, testing should be completed before a recommendation regarding Beale pool can be made. A separate problem at Beale is~that the wading pool does not comply with the state code that requires a one-hour turn-over rate for the water in the pool (i.e. 100% of the water must pass through the filter system every hour). This violation is due to the fact that the pool has no filtration system. In the past, the pool was filled and emptied daily. -Given our awareness of the state code, we will be unable to operate the pool in the future. Of the three pools in greatest need of repairs, they are all very Old and have operated well beyond their intended life. Beale Pool was built in 1932 (71 years old), and Jastro and Saunders pools were both built in 1962 (41 years old). March 5, 2003, 11:03AM S:~Adm in Rpts~2003\pool closures 3-12-03.doc AT:al Page 2 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Usaqe: Usage for recreational swimming (i.e. non-programmed activities) for these pools since 2000 was as follows: Beale Jastro Jefferson MLK Planz Saunders Siemon Silver WaYSide Creek 2000 4,743 3,302 9,096 4,021 5,084 3,658 4,720 7,221 2,530 2001 6,243 3,111 10,604 5,269 4,891 2,632 4,001 7,511 3,447 2002 6,630 2,713 9,830 5,610 4,708 2,626 3,130 7,698 3,752 Average 5,872 3,042 9,843 4,967 4,894 2,972 3,950 7,468 3,243 SUMMARY After reviewing the information above and considering both our recent difficulty with staff retention and the current budget situation, City staff is recommending that Saunders pool be taken out of service beginning this summer. Once more data is available on the other pools, staff will make additional recommendations that may include more closures, renovations, repairs, or replacement of the pools. Replacement may be either a new pool or a "wet playground." The Community Services Committee .recommends this item be forwarded to the full Council for consideration. A decision must be made soon on which pools should be closed. The Recreation and Parks Department will be publishing its annual brochure in the spring. They must have enough lead time to make changes in the brochure regarding which pools will be available and where swim lessons and teams will practice. A delayed decision after the brochure is printed will confuse the citizens / customers, many of whom plan their family's activities months in advance. Therefore, the full Council is considering this item prior to Committee recommendation for the sake of expediency. March 5, 2003, 11:03AM S:~,dmin Rpts~003\pool closures 3-12-03.doc AT:al Page 3 CITY SWIMMING POOL FACILITY AGE REPORT , POOL DATE BUILD AGE BEALE PARK POOL .1932 71 JASTRO PARK POOL '1960-1962 41-43 JEFFERSON PARK POOL , 1932 71 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR PARK POOL 1971 32 PLANZ PARK POOL 1960-1962 41-43 SAUNDERS PARK POOL 1960-1962 41-43 SIEMON PARK POOL 1963 40 SILVER CREEK PARK POOL ' 1994 9 WAYSIDE PARK POOL 1960-1962 41-43 C:~)ocuments and Settings~achriste. BAKERSFIELD~)cal Settings\Temp~Age of Pools.xls 2/21/20034:50 PM 2002 AQUATIC FINANCIAL SUMMARY .-~ Beale Jastro Jefferson MLK Planz Saunders Siemon Silver Wayside Total Creek Revenue $7,428 $11,683 $10,932 $3,311 $11,888 $13,840 $14,354 $31,955 $4,780 '$110,170 Labor $46,962 $51,878 $61,708 $53,550 $57,514 $56,793 $66,623 $80,883 $46,962 $522,873 Maintenance $15,342 $36,368 $62,669 $68,109 $16,709 $28,215 $21,691 $30,370 $18,683 $298,156 Other $62,342 $88,246 $124,377 $121,659 $74,223 $85,008 $88,3!4 $111,253 $65,645 $821,029 Expenses NetCost ($54,876) ($76,563) ($113,445) ($118,348) ($62,335) ($71,168) ($73,960) ($79,299) ($60,865) ($710,859) B A K E R S F I E L D Department of Recreation and Parks To: Alan Tandy, City Manager February 19, 2003 From: Stan Ford, Director of Recreation and Parks Subject:. Potential P0ol Closures As part of their approval of the new aquatic complex, the city council acknowledged the need to close two of the existing swimming pools. The intent was to "shift" the operating expenses of the closed pools to partially off-set the operating costs of the new facility. Also at that time, the council recommended having the Community Services Committee determine which pools should be closed. Factors for the committee to consider when formulating their recommendation include: (1) location (i.e. is the park suitable for a public pool), (2) physical condition of the pool and mechanical system, and (3) historical usage. Location There are six city-operated pools within the three-mile service radius of the new complex. They are Jefferson, MLK, Saunders, Beale, Jastro, and Wayside. Public Works is in the process of hiring a consultant for the renovation of Jefferson and MLK pools. Three of the other pools within the service area are "clustered" together. These are Saunders, Beale, and Jastro. Wayside is the only pool on this list that is south of the new complex. Of these three, only Saunders has off-street parking, is "buffered" from private residences, and has enough land to allow for expansion or a larger replacement pool. Physical Condition Of the three pools that are in the same general area, Saunders and Beale require repairs beyond the code-related issues that were identified in the pool assessment performed by Aquatic Design'' Group (ADG) in 1999. Jastro, although also needing code-related repairs, is in basically good working condition and is one of the few heated pools in the city which makes this facility suitable for year-round programming. A brief summary of the ADG study is as follows: Beale Jastro JeffersonMLK Planz Saunders Siemon Silver Wayside Creek No. of Code 4 5 9 7 4 5 6 1 5 Violations Estimated $106,163 $105,600 $265,150 $143,293 $123,563 $106,163 $133,545 $7,500z$106,163 Repair Cost Other $54,150' $10,655 $24,615 $17,180 $10,655 $10,655 $12,233 None $10,655 Improvements i Study did not estimate the cost to repair the unknown source of water loss. 2 Repair completed. In addition to these issues/costs, a follow-up assessment identified a major issue with the piping at Saunders pool. The estimated cost to replace the piping is $150,000-$250,000. Before the exact cost can be determined, further analysis is required. In 1998, the department attempted to determine the source of ongoing water loss at Beale pool. Staff estimated the water loss at approximately 10,000 gallons per week. A geotechnical investigation was conducted. This work included acoustical mapping and coring of the pool shell. Although no obvious source was identified, problems were noted including separation of the topping material from the' foundation and considerable cracking in the topping material. In July 2002, the Kern County Environmental Health Services Department inspected Beale pool and notified the city that the pool bottom (i.e. where the cracks are) must be repaired. If something as simple as plastering the pool will be sufficient to correct the cracking problem, that cost will be approximately $50,000 plus any needed preparation. Additional, and thorough, testing should be completed before a recommendation regarding Beale pool can be made. A separate problem at Beale is that the wading pool does not comply with the state code that requires a one-hour turn-over rate for the water in the pool (i.e. 100% of the water must pass through the filter system every hour). This violation is due to the fact that the pool has no filtration system. In the past, the pool was filled and emptied daily. Given our awareness of the state code, we will be unable to operate the pool in the future. Usage Usage for recreational swimming (i.e. non-programmed activities) for these pools since 2000 was as follows: Beale Jastro Jefferson MLK Planz Saunders Siemon Silver Wayside Creek 2000 4,743 3,302 9,096 4,021 5,084 3,658 4,720 7,221 2,530 2001 6,243 3,111 10,604 5,269 4,891 2,632 4,001 7,511 3,447 2002 6,630 2,713 9,830 5,610 4,708 2,626 3,130 7,698 3,752 Average 5,872 3,042 9,843 4,967 4,894 2,972 3,950 7,468 3,243 After reviewing the information above and considering both our recent difficulty with staff retention and the current budget situation, the department is recommending that Saunders pool be taken out of service beginning this summer. Staff would also recommend a more detailed evaluation of the physical conditions of other pools. Once more data is gathered, staff may make additional recommendations, including more closures, renovations, repairs, or replacement of the pools. Replacement may be either a new pool or a '~vet playground." PUBLIC STATEMENTS SPEAKER'S CARD Community Services Committee Committee of the City Council Committee Meeting Date ! You are invited to address the Committee under Public Statements on any subject that is listed on the Committee Agenda. Public statements are limited to three {3) minutes per speaker with a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes, per side, for any one subject. The Committee may, by simple majority vote, waive the time limit. No action will be taken; this Committee gathers information and reports back to the City Council. Please fill out a Speaker's Card and present it to the Committee Chair: Jacquie Sullivan Name: .~_//,,,~/_//p ~ E~--//~ (~, Company/ /~O/,f?. ~ q2 ~-/~.~' ,;' ,~'-/,~.~_., Organization: Address: Phone: ~'~/-.~"~-~-~[~ Fax/e-mail: PUBLIC STATEMENTS SPEAKER'S CARD Community Services Committee Committee of the City Council Committee Meeting Date You are invited to address the Committee under Public Statements on any subject that is listed on the Committee Agenda. Public statements are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker with a maximum of fiiteen (15) minutes, per side, for any one subject. The Committee may, by simple majority vote, waive the time limit. No action will be taken; this Committee gathers information and reports back to the City Council. Please fill out a Speaker's Card and present it to the Committee Chair: Jacquie Sullivan Name: ~%L ~2 i~,~ [ Gompany/ ~ Address: ~ ~ .LQ.~ I' ~Y(} <~ Phone: ~'~)-~ _ L.~,~L.I _~ Fax/e_mail: !, ./~'~1 cO 0