2003-09-15 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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preventing children from falling into the pool, evidence indicates that the curb is equally dangerous in terms of toddlers attempting to enter the pool. The new baby pool is further away from the main pool and adults will be required to accompany children there, so it seems unlikely they will streak for the main pool, without supervision. Supervision of children has always been and should always be the highest priority. As for accidents during the past seventy years, it was admitted by the "pool people" that they do not keep records of accidents, unless it is a major catastrophe. As for historic precedent, the tax issue which provided for improvements did not promise to reinstate the pool exactly the way it was in 1933. It promised "to repair, renovate, and upgrade" the pool. Considering the excellent recommendations by the Proposition K Committee, the Council has agreed to add other things, which did not exist in 1933: a large slide, a three-meter diving board, ramps for easy entry, a volleyball court - all changes for the better of the facility. We want a facility which is first-class and of which we can be proud. The footprint remains exactly the same. We are neither contracting nor expanding the pool itself. Some of the bottom will be excavated to provide for the three- meter board; so there are up-grades and renovations. The current designs should be approved. Mayor Adams commented that the insurance company advised a curb could be constructed if the Council saw fit, however, the curb should be marked as an elevated surface, should be painted a different color than the surrounding deck, and if that is done, the curb will stand out rather than blending in as it currently does. Also, he has noted children running on the current curb, which could be a danger. As for the trees, they hang over the pool so it is impossible for the curb to prevent acorn debris from falling into the pool. Mr. Wagner asked about the requirement for accessibility, including at least two means of disabled entry. One is by ramp, but he does not include the portable chair lift as being the second, because it s is not part of the physical attribute. The current design would provide this accessibility. Mayor Adams admitted the chair lift was a debatable point. He added that if a curb is built, and it there is an entry ramp, there must also be a ramp to get over the curb. There will be several ramps. The flooding is stopped by an outside berm, not the curb. Mr. Munkel mentioned the footprint of the pool and asked about architecture, which is to be changed to be more accessible to disabled citizens. He did not relate Proposition K issues with the architectural plans with the curb. He addressed Mr. Winter and said that the curb would be removed during the construction. He added that the goal is to move forward, to renovate for the future, while keeping the basic character of the pool for future generations. In most renovations, new techniques are applied to what exists. The proposed plan will take citizens into the future, retain most of the historical character, and he does not believe the curb is needed. Ms. Welsch referred to two things mentioned previously. One was Mayor Adams's comment about the insurers of the pool and the fact they have insured the pool for many years and they will continue to do it. The curb is now painted so that it is visible Page 13