Public Meeting on Pool Financing, New Fees

Financing and proposed fee hikes for the Piedmont Community Pool will be the topics at a special meeting and public hearing of the Piedmont Recreation Commission Wedesday night, Jan. 30.

Also on the agenda are changes in pool use.

City staff is recommending increases in several fees. Annual family passes, for example, would rise by $40, becoming $890 for residents and $990 for non-residents. Seniors buying seasonal passes (May through October) would see the biggest jump, to $350 from the current $225 for residents, and to $425 from the current $325 for non-residents.

Many fees would remain the same, while one fee – Saturday walk-up or one-day admission for youth – would go down by 50 cents, to $7 from the current $7.50.

Any fee increases recommended by the commission must be approved by the City Council. The fees would be for the year from May 1 this year to April 30 next year.

Staff also recommends several changes in the times and uses of lanes for recreational swimming, swim classes and the "Splash Zone." The specific changes that are being recommended can be found at the bottom of this article and in the staff report for the meeting.

The staff report, from Recreation Supervisor David Weisgerber, and the meeting agenda are attached to this article.

The meeting will also include a financial report on pool operations, according to a notice from the city about the meeting. 

The staff report for the commission meeting says sales of annual and seasonal passes have reached 592, which is 32 percent above the goal of 450.

Staff also estimates that revenues for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2012 will be $550,000 – described as "a somewhat optimistic estimate" – with estimated expenses of $650,000, for a shortfall of $100,000, according to the report.

For the current fiscal year ending this coming June 30, the Weisgerber's report says the general fund subsidy needed for the pool is estimated to be $19,294, which takes into account the pool's positive general fund balance of $80,706.

"A conservative analysis indicates that the annual subsidy will be in the $100,000 range," the report says. "A less conservative estimate would have the range significantly lower, perhaps even approaching 'break even'. This, of course, depends on future income and operational costs."

The city took over operation of the pool on July 1, 2011.

The city notice encourages residents to attend the meeting and hearing, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

"Public Comment is invited and encouraged at these hearings, particularly from Pool Pass Holders and regular swim pool clients," the notice says.

Comments in writing may be sent to the Piedmont Recreation Commission in care of commission Chairman Dick Hunt, 358 Hillside Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611, or by email to mdelventhal@ci.piedmont.ca.us. 

The report's proposed changes in pool use are: 

1. Adjust swim school schedule for summer 2013 to incorporate an hour block in the medium pool from 4:00pm-5:00pm to provide exclusive space for recreation swimmers at a peak usage time.  
2. From 5:00pm to 6:00pm we will close the medium pool to recreational swimming for exclusive swim lesson use and offer our “Splash Zone” in the main pool. The “Splash Zone” will be a one hour exclusive recreational swimming block in the main pool on Mondays-Thursdays. During this time there will be no lap swimming lanes available but there will be water available to swim if needed. (See exhibit A for diagram). 
3. The main pool will open on weekends at 6:30am beginning May 1st, 2013. 
4. The medium pool will open daily at 11:30am for recreational swim beginning May 1st, 2013.
5. The splash pool (formerly baby pool) will open daily at 10:00am beginning April 8th. 

"The Commission will also be considering the current rule limiting the use of designated lap swimming lanes to those16 years of age or older," the public notice says.

Those wishing more information can contact Weisgerber at 510-420-3074 or Recreation Director Mark Delventhal at 420-3073.