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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-15 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee � February 15, 2005 Minutes Councilor Attendance: Greene, D'Errico, Hawes, Tremble, Gratwick, Farrington Staff Attendance: Barrett, Comeau, Hamer, Farrar, Willette, Martzial Otheres: Mike Robinson, Gerry Palmer, Kelly Cotioux, Jody McDonald, Linda Dunn, Kim Livingstone, George Burgoyne, Dawn Gagnon, News Media, Judi Perkins, Kelly Cotiaux 1. Dakin Pool Operations and Bathhouse Renovation Project- Council Order 05-69 Council Order 05-69, as written, directed the closing of Dakin Pool effective for the spring of 2005. The Order was tabled at the January 24th City Council meeting and referred back to this Committee for further review, discussion and input from interested citizens. Additional information regarding the cost of the bathhouse renovation project, attendance figures, options for consideration and other related material were provided to the Committee and Dakin Pool Committee leaders. • Barrett talked about pool attendance at Dakin and at Pancoe. The numbers at Pancoe are accurate in that they are associated with an entrance fee. The numbers at Dakin were taken by employees and there is no fee. Dakin Pool averaged 15 people per day with a median of 14. Highest attendance was 81, second highest was 59. Pancoe averaged 410/day with a median of 388. In terms of the hours at Dakin Pool and public access to that information, Barrett said the operating hours were advertised, and the Parks and Recreation Department sent home brochures with the Bangor elementary school children. In that brochure, it was noted that the Council was considering closing Dakin. The info was also provided on the City's web site and its government access channel as well as some radio spots. The pool was not operated on the weekends due to staffing issues and popularity of Pancoe. Swim hours were increased by a half hour at Dakin. Swimming lessons were conducted at Pancoe because of the pool's design and there was a higher response this year. Swimming lessons increased from 150 in 2003 to 394 in 2004. In 2002 Dakin's attendance averaged 53, 35 in 2003, and in 2004 it fell further. Operating costs remain fairly constant at $19,000 currently. Pancoe operating costs are $74,500 but the fee structure recovered close to $50,000. In tax support per visit, Barrett estimated is at $.90 per visit at Pancoe in tax support and in excess of $25.00 at Dakin. � Barrett indicated that the bathhouse at Dakin needs repair. The pool equipment • is in a confined space which causes problems for employees. Carpenter Associates provided the City with revised figures for required renovations and improvements at Dakin in the area of a quarter million plus. The estimated price for basic renovations to the bathhouse is $90,000. The bathhouse's deck is in the Pine Street right-of-way. The bathhouse could be renovated at the current location but a new bathhouse would require it to be moved. Dakin Pool is approximately 50 years old. It is still useful. Staff recommended the following options for consideration: building a new bathhouse at $250,000-300,000. Debt service on that amount would be $20,000- 24,000/year; Dakin could continue with a renovated bathhouse with an estimated 5-10 year fix at $90,000; close the pool and construct a splash pad; close the pool completely at $12,000 for removal and closure. Barrett talked about the City's financial environment. Over the past few years, the City has invested significant amounts of its undesignated fund balance in certain projects. At the present time, it is slightly under the amount the Council has set by policy (7.5% of operating budget). He also mentioned LD 1, which will have impact on the City's ability to raise property taxes. The City has made a commitment to a new police station which, when the facility is in place, will increase the City's debt service payment by the range of $500,000/year. : Parks and Recreation staff recommend the splash pad as the preferable option. It would provide a different water amenity and would attract more users. It is geared more toward younger children. If the choice is to keep the pool open, Barrett suggested renovating the bathhouse as the least expensive option. Mike Robinson represented the Dakin Pool Committee group. He read a letter from Bangor's Legislative Delegation supporting Dakin Pool remaining open. He opposes the idea of a "one pool" concept at Mansfield. The general public is not aware of that plan. He feels that the staff report is based on faulty data and that the pool comparison chart is not valid. Dakin is not open evening and weekends like Pancoe so it isn't a fair comparison. Dakin Pool is not identified by a sign at the location. Pancoe is at maximum capacity and closing Dakin would cause further problems. The pool at Dakin is in good shape but the bathhouse is not. Robinson questions the City's estimated costs for renovation and demolition. Robinson asked why the City waited so long to consider repairs and renovations. Gratwick agreed with Robinson in that the newness of Pancoe afFected its high attendance numbers. He favored Robinson's Plan B to get the community involved in the solution. Robinson indicated the City should come up with the necessary funding, not just the Pool Committee. He also talked about grants. He said that when the City gets it numbers together the Dakin Pool Committee • would be willing to partner with the City. Hawes suggested that the Pool Committee should provide the grant avenues prior to the Council making a • decision. If the Dakin Committee is successful, will the King Foundation fund refurbish the entire pool. Robinson said it takes several months to apply for grants. He feels the Council needs to make a decision as to what they want to do with Dakin. D'Errico agreed with the matching funds concept. He has spoken with residents as well as the member of the Dakin Pool Committee and he fully supports meeting the group part way. He favored putting the project on hold. Barrett said that if the Council decides to open the pool in June with some kind of additional fundraising, staff could put a plan together for the following year. Dick HartFord from Carpenter Associates addressed the Committee. Regarding the bathhouse, he expressed concern about the addition to the structure, which sets on a slab. He didn't feel it was anything that would prohibit the pool from being open in June but questioned how long it will last. The problem with the current equipment location concerns a sump under the middle of the building with a wooden floor over it. He also mentioned the poor condition of the restrooms. Comeau said the Loss Control Consultant has indicated the building is structurally unsafe and expressed a concern with insurance coverage. Tremble said it comes to the point as to whether Council wants to open or close Dakin Pool. Barrett said the City needs to check with its insurance company � regarding liabilities that might arise for users of the building. In referencing the community support, Gratwick talked about using Habitat for Humanity, as an example, to renovate/rebuild the bathhouse. Hartford indicated that a lot of the work is electrical and mechanical related. Greene asked if a bathhouse is a necessity. Hartford said it is a State Code requirement. Jody McDonald spoke in favor of keeping Dakin Pool open. She spoke about the number of pool users and the lack of appropriate signage. She questioned the statistics provided by staff. She is concerned about the original estimates provided by Carpenter Associates. Carpenter came back with lower figures and she wondered how many other City projects are financially overstated if no one raises questions. $25 to provide pool services at Dakin for one child is well worth the expenditure. It provides exercise. Tremble spoke about the numbers at Dakin and Pancoe. Pancoe's attendance reflects a high percentage of non-residents. Dakin is a neighborhood pool. Comeau said that 72% of paying customers at Pancoe were residents and 92% of the season pass purchases were residents. Tremble talked about a fee at Dakin Pool for revenue and to track attendance. � Hawes said her largest concern is safety. If the City can provide one more year . at Dakin Pool with the bathhouse, implement the $1.00 fee, let the Dakin Pool Committee start working on their funding and grants, she would support opening it for one more season. She stressed that it needs to be financially feasible for all concerned. She recommended sending the item back to Council recommending a )une opening of the Dakin. Comeau said it could be made safe for another year and he agreed with the fee. Linda Dunn asked about the attendance records. If she enters the pool area, then returns to her car and comes back in, is she counted as two? The lifeguard would let the individual back in. Dunn said that when the Bangor Library was being renovated, school children were allowed to bring in pennies to contribute to the project, and wondered if the same could be done for the pools. She also said that newcomers to the area have no idea about the pools and the schools could provide that information. Barrett said that would be a question for the School Superintendent. Barrett said the City has no legal right to place a sign on Stillwater Avenue for Dakin. There is a sign on Pine Street. Tremble asked about � a daily��sandwich board"type sign. Barrett talked about the State of Maine informational signs. Barrett said that staff would look into the sign issue. In response to Hawes regarding pool staffing, Comeau said that if he knows early on in the process, staffing needs can be taken care of at Pancoe and Dakin. : He also spoke of having the pool open on weekends. Jody McDonald stressed that the Dakin Pool Committee does want to work with the Council. She asked about looking at other avenues for cost estimates. George Burgoyne indicated that when two groups come together there needs to be structure. Kim Livingstone indicated she lived on French Street for 6 years prior to finding out about Dakin Pool. She talked about the inconvenience of individuals traveling from her side of town over the Pancoe. Hawes expressed appreciation to the citizens in attendance and made a motion recommending to full Council that Dakin Pool be open this June. She further recommended that a charge be given to the Dakin Pool Committee. The motion was seconded. Hawes further moved that Council Order 05-69 be indefinitely postponed. The motion was seconded. Greene stressed that the Dakin Pool Committee is being asked to move forward to formulate funding and grants so that in a year from now perhaps something can be done on a more permanent basis. Greene asked if a pool pass could cover both pools. Willette responded that it could be evaluated. In response to a question, Barrett said that the City • cannot be involved in fundraising. He suggested that a group could be formed and the City would assist in the process. That group would then be recognized � by the Council and given some official standing. Dunn said she would call Barrett for details. 2. Adopt-A-Spot Program — Keep Bangor Beautiful and Bangor Public Works Department Keep Bangor Beautiful (KBB) in conjunction with Bangor Public Works has developed a new program entitled Adopt-A-Spot. The program is designed to reduce litter and to beautify open spaces through citizen and group involvement. Identified spaces will be "adopted" and then maintained by the individual or group with oversight and assistance from both KBB and Bangor Public Works. Kelly Cotiaux and Judi Perkins reviewed the program details with the Committee. Interested groups must pledge to adopt a space for a minimum of one year. An appropriate small sign will be placed identifying the group. The program will be introduced at the Garden Show. D'Errico talked about adding competition within the project. Cotiaux asked for direction in designating specific spots. Barrett indicated this would require formal Council approval, Public Works involvement as well as the Enterprise Funds. Hamer suggested a policy. Perkins has worked with Public Works on a pre-approved planting program working with the Forestry Division. Gratwick suggested publicity on local news outlets and service organizations. A motion was made and seconded to move forward with the project. • 3. Proposed Changes to Federal Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Staff has been alerted that the Commerce Department has proposed consolidating a variety of economic and community development programs, including the Community Development Block Grant Program, into one program under the Commerce Department. Currently, economic and community development programs are located under Housing and Urban Development. This plan would require the development of Federal enabling legislation, which would then need Congressional approval. The Commerce Department plans to develop the legislation over the summer. Bangor currently receives $1.2M/year from CDBG funds used for the downtown and waterfront improvements. Staff asked approval for adoption of a Council Resolve in opposition to eliminating the CDBG program. In response to Gratwick, Martzial said he has been in contact with Senators Snowe and Collins' offices. Gratwick also talked about a meeting with the Senators. Martzial said he plans to more aggressive in promotion the CDBG program, utilizing the city's government access channel. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff's recommendation. � 4. LD 474—An Act to Clarify the Authority of a County to Fund its � County Communication Center Through the County Tax or Fee- for Service Agreements This proposed bill clarifies that a county communication center may be funded through the county tax if the center is available for use by any municipality in the county that chooses to use it, even if one or more municipalities elect not to use it. The legislation also allows counties to enter into Fee-for-Service Agreements with municipalities. Given Bangor's interest in the issue of paying for county communication centers through county tax, staff felt it appropriate for the Committee/Council to take a position on this legislation. Barrett said this is in response to the City's lawsuit against the County. Gratwick asked the status of the lawsuit and asked if this LD would validate the conclusion of the lawsuit. Hamer said the lawsuit is based on the language of the current status. If the LD passes it would certainly make it moot from this point forward. Hamer said the efFect of the LD would be a provision to have to pay for municipal dispatch and the county dispatch. Farrington talked about the county's dispatch center not meeting Bangor's needs. He also indicated that the LD is written as such "as taxation without representation". A motion was made and seconded for staff to prepare a Council Resolve in opposition to LD 474. � A motion was made and seconded for adjournment at 6:55 pm. �