2003-09-15 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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the engineering firm, so that they can consider ways to accomplish the items listed. He referred to the dollar amounts, stating that the preliminary estimates did not cover everything in the concept statement. The dollars that will come from the quarter-cent sales tax, or $400,000 for debt retirement from fifteen-year bonds, will pay for $4.8 million in actual capital improvements. That would only include the Heman pool, the gym, the track and the locker rooms, and the phase two of the fitness room expansion. It does not include other amenities, like the meeting rooms, sauna, soccer facility, the bath house renovations and additions. He questions the soundness of approaching the engineers at this point, since the City does not have the money to accomplish any of these things. Mr. Moton responded that the City is moving in the right direction and said that the concept statement under discussion this evening is not the only statement to be issued to the firm chosen to develop the facility. Rather, the statement is meant to express a consensus of interests and priorities and cost. He reported that the firms already contacted asked if the City is locked into a design, and Mr. Moton reported that a design can be started "from scratch." The design firm would present a budget. The City currently has a crude approximation, more grossly exaggerated that the real cost, but this will not be known until there is a design. There will be several opportunities for feedback. He reiterated Councilmember Welsch's suggestion of presenting designers with the Proposition K Report and the minutes from the Council meetings so that they can include the desires of the community. The goal is to receive the maximum possible from the money available. Mr. Wagner asked Mr. Moton if the Council would then set the priorities, and Mayor Adams advised that this is always done. A vote was taken to approve the concept statement. The motion passed five to one, with Ms. Welsch voting Nay. AGENDA ITEM #4- HEMAN PARK POOL CHANGE ORDER: (Ms. Colquitt entered the meeting at 8:05 p.m.) In response to the City Council and citizens' questions about the status of the Heman Park Pool curb, we have ascertained from the city's insurance representative and the County authorities that no curb prohibition exist. The City Manager would, however, recommend against changing the plans as both indicate that the curb appears to be a hazard. Citizens by a margin of nearly two to one favored zero-depth entry over drop-off pool entry. Despite the overwhelming support for zero-depth entry, the current plans include drop-off entry. Curbing appears to move further away from the popular sentiments expressed by those citizens in the survey that favored zero-depth entry. While we have decided not to go with the zero-depth entry, we should at least eliminate the curb obstacle. Every safety expert has indicated a preference for not restoring the old Page 8