2004-05-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Session 1918 May 3, 2004 Kathy Straatman, 6823 Crest Avenue, is opposed to opening the pool to non-residents because she views the pool as a "perk" for tax-paying citizens and believes it should be "sold" to them first. She anticipates problems from non-residents. Jen Jensen, 706 Pennsylvania Avenue, went on record as opposing non-resident use of the pool and asked instead that the City Council promote use of the pool to City residents, and that they allow non-residents who are University City employees, Washington University faculty, staff, and students, and University City School District employees to buy seasonal passes, with fees to be determined by the Park Commission. She called for research of non-resident use of pools in other municipalities to be conducted by surveying University City citizens who use the pool. Ray Reckamp, 7100 Kingsbury Boulevard, opposed non-resident use of the pool, and said there is not an issue of money, that Proposition K provided more operating money than the City ever had before. He favors using the pool for a season or two, before committing to a policy of non-resident use of the pool. He mentioned applying a sur-tax to the cost of season passes, resulting in purchasers "buying" into the pool. He suggested limiting the number of non-resident passes to a small percentage of the number of resident ones, to guarantee it as a University City facility for use by University City residents. Richard Byrne, 1301 Waldron Avenue, opposed changing rules on non-resident use of the pool, pointing out that citizens both pay taxes and pay for passes to use the pool. He does not want to compete with non-residents for use of the pool. He would not vote for a tax increase again if non-residents use passes. He is satisfied with the 60-70 per cent rate use of the pool, not wanting increased use to cause users to suffer. Mary Ann Zaggy, 6303 McPherson, mentioned that in Milwaukee where there are numerous pools, there were accompanying problems of over-crowding, poor behavior, accidents and sexual assaults, despite excellent lifeguard supervision. Then she asked why Heman Pool should be a money-making venture; she sees the pool as a "quality of life issue." Elsie Glickert, 6712 Etzel Avenue, expressed pride in "swimmers sticking up for their rights." She admonished the City Council to listen to the Park Commission, who opposed this proposal. She shared another of her ideas for marketing the pool, selling passes to school district employees and to retirees. She pointed out that a "half-price policy" is for pool passes, only, and does not include the recreation center. She said that the pool was never intended to be a money-maker. Teresa Thiel, 6840 Kingsbury Boulevard, believes the pool and the library are two of University City's outstanding features, and that they are "family places" and should remain as such, providing "quality of life." Page 5