2004-05-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Session 1918 May 3, 2004 Michelle Hamilton, 7537 Stanford Avenue, expressed fear for the safety of her children if non-residents are allowed to use the pool. She described her role in catching and prosecuting a sexual predator in the pool present on a "light day." She said that the teenage lifeguards could not possibly watch children when the pool is enormously over- crowded. She is frightened by the fact that a predator was present on a light day in the pool. She wants to know what controls are in place to protect children before the pool is opened to the public. She is "offended" that she voted for Proposition K when this measure was not included and she would not have voted for it, if it had been. She asserted that the pool is for people who pay taxes, vote on a regular basis, and regard using the pool as a privilege. Neva Taylor, 1150 Ursula Avenue, is opposed to the pool being opened to non- residents because of over-crowding. Kristin Becker, 524 North Central Avenue, supported the comments of Michelle Hamilton. She is a regular user of Heman Park pool as a "family environment." She believes more residents will use the new, renovated pool. She expressed her trust in the current lifeguards and the job they do, especially watching children. Admitting non- residents will increase crowing and supervision issues. She prefers the pool be limited to use by tax-payers. Barbara Heise, 920 Golf Course Drive, asked if there is a "money-issue" related to the pool? She wants to know if the cost of adding more people to the pool had been "factored out" as opposed to what amount will be raised by letting them in. She mentioned that gang problems are an issue at the recreation center "as we speak" and she imagines opening up the pool to outsiders will be a "can of worms." She noted that other municipalities nearby where pools have been renovated, are now seeking to keep outsider out, the opposite of this issue. Ann Simpson, 7450 Amherst Avenue, verbally underscored the comments preceding hers. She said that Kirkwood, Webster, and Crestwood to not allow outsiders to use their facilities. Season pass holders, who provide the "bread and butter" support of the pool, she pointed out, may not want to renew passes if the policy is changed. She believes there is a marketing problem. She feels "deceived" by the Proposition K proposal because this suggestion was not part of the package. Other communities, especially St. Charles where there is a non-residents policy, has a pool which is terribly crowded and she would not use it a second time, so she asked that the City Council consider this. Her children want to become lifeguards and work close to home, so she hopes a pool management team is not employed. Anne Troupis, 8047 Cornell Avenue, said she learned about the pool from a neighbor as Page 7