2004-05-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Session 1918 May 3, 2004 University City Costs Lifeguards Unlimited Midwest Pool $199,733.00 $221,224.00 $190,307.00 The City Manager recommended an award be made to Midwest Pool in the amount of $190,307. The Park Commission unanimously endorsed this proposal to provide more experienced professional pool management with cost savings to the City. City staff will collect all fees and sell all concessions, in addition to contact oversight. Our high quality recreation management team will be able to concentrate their attention on expanded recreation programming. Midwest Pool comes highly recommended by leading area aquatic facility owners. Terri Thomas, 6949 Mitchell, described herself as a teacher in University City School District, as a former Midwest pool employee, and as the mother of a lifeguard. She opposes the management company because she believes the resident City lifeguards provide a "sense of community" and do a better job than those who work for a management company. Richard Dockett, 6844 Crest Avenue, said that using a pool management company is an example of "improper out-sourcing" and will introduce conditions not wanted "for our grandchildren." Ethel Mariam, 7257 Amherst Avenue, prefers University City lifeguards and is opposed to an outside management company. Carol Rossel, 7407 Teasdale Avenue, said that the School District had tried out- sourcing maintenance and it resulted in poor management, poor maintenance, and cost over-runs. She favors giving the new park director a chance to run things, and noted that this is a "time of transition" and not a good time to introduce this change. Mary Ann Zaggy, 6303 McPherson Street, said there would be no better service from a management team than the City has currently. She is opposed to lifeguards serving in a "pool of people" on call with the pool management service. Elsie Glickert, 6712 Etzel Avenue, said this pool management issue came as a big surprise. She wants to learn what advantages this form of management has to offer. She attempted to attend the meeting of the Park Commission where it was discussed, but the time of the meeting was changed and she missed the discussion. She alleged that this is a violation of the Sunshine Law. She wants the pool to continue as it has been since 1933. She also conducted some brief research into neighboring communities and learned that Clayton hires their own lifeguards, but Crestwood, Kirkwood and Webster Groves employ Midwest Pool management service. She objects to lifeguards being part of an "employee pool." Citizens, she said, should know when the commissions meet. Page 11