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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/03/2009 04B Minutes 02-12-2009 Council Citizen Advisory Committee - Aquatic Center Aquatic Center • CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE February 12, 2009 Call to Order and Introductions — Mayor Dave Edler Mayor Edler opened the meeting and asked all present to introduce themselves. Briefly he explained his desire to bring the group back together to update them on all that has transpired over the past months and to give a little insight into where the process might be headed from here. II. Update — Ken Wilkinson Ken Wilkinson, Parks and Recreation Manager, handed out a chronology of efforts starting in July of 2005 (copy attached). Ken also gave an update on the increased cost of construction if the project were to be constructed in 2012 instead of 2010 as originally presumed. Included in the adjusted costs was the subtraction of land procurement due to the possibility of a land donation. Ken reported that a meeting of the Aquatics Center Executive Committee is to be scheduled in March for further discussion of the project. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) session with both committees combined is to be planned in the future. Both meetings are to be held before the City Council Study Session which is scheduled for April, 28, 2009. III. Site Selection — Council Member Kathy Coffey Council Member Kathy Coffey discussed the potential land donation on the Boise Cascade Mill site for the project and the possibility of an alternate location also on the proposed mill site. This is still under discussion. The new location within the site may have fewer environmental issues. Council Member Coffey also indicated that the new alternate location may have additional (better) access for users. IV. PFD Funding Mechanism — Council Members Coffey and Cawley Council Members Coffey and Cawley gave an overview of how the PFD works and answered questions from the group. Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works, also added to the discussion. The PFD is a 0.1 or 0.2% sales tax. The PFD would need a simple majority vote by the citizens to be put into effect. The PFD would need to be 0.1 or 0.2% only. It cannot be a variation in between. Currently there is legislation to be presented that would allow only 1 PFD per area (county). V. Update on Selah and Union Gap — Mayor Edler Mayor Edler recapped the interaction that occurred with the City Councils of Selah and Union Gap. Selah has hired a consultant to review the costs associated with repairing and improving the current swimming pool in Selah. Their consultant is scheduled to present their recommendation at the March 10, 2009 Selah City Council meeting. VI. Current Status of Yakima Pools Discussion — Mayor Edler Mayor Edler discussed the current issues facing the Yakima Pools (Franklin and Lions). He stated that the current pools have a limited life span and additional dollars will need to be spent over the next few years in order to keep the pools operational. Ken discussed the cost of operating both pools. The issue was raised that if Lions pool closes that none of the high school swim teams will have a place to practice and host swim meets. • VII. Opportunities and Challenges Comments from the Committee Members Betsy Nagle - McNaughton: Concerns about transportation for kids to and from aquatic center and has concerns about contamination at Boise Cascade site as well as clean up costs. Betsy Nagle - McNaughton: Commented that she thinks "all kids should have access to the center" or need to have alternative to pools (i.e. spray parks) if all the pools (Franklin and Lions) close. Then we need spray pools, wading pools, etc. Question: Is the 10 -year life span estimate for Lions /Franklin accurate? Betsy Nagle - McNaughton: What kind of money, does competitive swimming bring to town? Council Member Coffey: Need a 10 -point list of information items. Could include that proposal is to serve local population; pricing; programming (including local swim teams). What is the concept? What is an aquatic center? $.05 on a $50 purchase at the hardware store. Mike Nixon: We need to work to change people's attitudes about supporting public projects like schools. The older generation used to vote yes in order to support younger generations and the growth of the community. Tank pools have less than 10 years left. Neighborhood pools may be a thing of the past. Barry Bemfeld: Asked if our community is willing to have NO pools? Commented that we need to plan ahead. Maureen Adkison: Observed that the current level of public understanding of the project is harmfully inadequate. Adjournment.