Swimming Pool Task Force


Planning Committee meeting: May 3, 2005

Attendees:   Linda Phillips, Char Myers, Kori Mannon, Leon Gorrell, Norma Webster, Donna Sanchez, Lucy Grijalva, Mike Herr, Mick Marshall, Jane Greene

The meeting opened with a discussion of what the work of the planning committee is and the relationship between the large group and the various committees.   It was agreed that the planning committee should operate as a coordinating committee and be responsible for:

  • Defining the work that needs to be done to reach the goal of having an enclosed year round swimming pool

  • Assigning work to existing committees or establishing new committees/work groups to complete specific tasks;

  • Ensuring that the committees are meeting; getting minutes and reports from committees and distributing them to all members of the large group;

  • Setting agenda for large group meetings;

  • Clarifying issues.

A diagram of the proposed organization is attached.

Everyone agreed that it is essential to have information from the committees and the general meetings be easily available to community members.  Donna said that she would be the central distribution for written information.  Within a few days of every meeting the meeting-secretary will send Donna the minutes which she will send by email to all participants.  Leon agreed to distribute all written materials to individuals who do not have email.  Linda agreed to compile the email list and get the list to Donna and a list of individuals who do not have email to Leon. 

Kori suggested that the minutes and reports be posted on public bulletin boards and said that she would post all information at her business.  Jane agreed to post copies at the Municipal Library and the Ken James Senior Center and on the www.sierracounty.net web site; Leon agreed to post materials at the Post Offices, grocery stores and at all other locations where he currently posts Recreation Department notices each month.

Committee members next reviewed the work that is being done and what the next steps should be:

Press Releases and getting information to the community:  Mick reported that the Marketing Group met and is scheduled to meet again this week.   They are writing a job description for the committee and PR is one of their priorities. Marketing Committee members were at the Fiesta Parade and distributed 500 flyers inviting the public to the next large group meeting on May 24th; they also had signs advertising the project on the Swim Team Float in the parade. 

It was suggested that the Marketing Committee look at having radio advertisements for the project and Mick said he would bring that up at the next meeting.  Mick said that another project that the committee is working on is creation of a master list of community organizations that can be approached for assistance and support.

Information on the Existing Cover:   Mick asked for information on the status of the existing swimming pool cover.  Leon reported that the cover, essentially a blanket that lies over the top of the pool and conserves heat at night, has been purchased and will be installed soon.   He said that while this will help conserve some heat it will not keep the pool warm.  After a discussion, it was not clear whether this cover will make it possible to extend the swimming season or save money on pool operations.  More investigation needs to be done so that these questions can be answered. 

Related to the discussion of extending pool hours is the need to certify life guards who are available to work in the Spring and Fall when school is in session.  It was agreed that, at the next general meeting, we should ask for volunteers who can research the issues around the pool cover and certification of life guards.

Dome Committee:  The Dome Committee at this time has only one member, Jackye McDaniels along with Robyn and Rose who had agreed to help by visiting domed pools in other communities. Norma reported that she had invited Mike Herr to the meeting to share his expertise with the Planning Committee.  A meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, May 11th at the pool so that the Dome Committee members and Mike could meet with Leon and get the information needed for getting quotes on a dome.  Norma will contact Jackye McDaniels about the meeting; Coordinating Committee members who will attend the meeting are:  Norma Webster, Char Myers, and Kori Mannon. Leon will try to locate any past drawings of the pool to bring to this meeting.

Budget:  Committee members noted that a number of discussions are stopped because we do not have any detailed information on the historic costs of operating the pool or on pool usage.  Leon said it would take some work to pull this information together but agreed to provide it and to have as much as possible available by the next general meeting.

Links to City:  Donna stressed the need to keep the City Manager and Commissioners informed and make sure that we are taking appropriate steps to give them the information they need.  It was agreed that a group from this committee and others from the General Committee will attend the June 13th meeting of the City Commission both to thank them for their support and inform them of our progress. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

At the last meeting a number of individuals had agreed to contact organizations and solicit involvement in the project.  Jane reported that she spoke with Kathy Clark from the Tourism Council and that Kathy thought it a good idea to enclose the pool and would see if anyone from the Council has time to participate at meetings.  Kori read a draft letter that she prepared to send to Appletree, Tresco, the Hospital, the Veteran’s Center, and nine local physical therapists.  Committee members were very enthusiastic about the letter and Kori agreed to send it to the above named organizations/individuals and also to the schools, Headstart, and the Tourism Council.  Leon agreed to make copies if needed and Jane said that the Community Council could donate the paper for copies.

Leon reported that he had investigated the possibility of using the park next to the pool for increased parking space and that this would not be an allowed use for that land.  After some discussion it was agreed that parking is available in the blocks around the pool and that this would be sufficient.  

Next Coordinating Committee Meeting:  The next meeting of this committee will be held on June 7th at 5:30 pm at The Inn at the Butte.  Kori will contact the Inn and ask them to reserve a meeting room or area for us.

Next General Meeting will be held on May 24th at 5:30 at the Skate Zone.  Kori and Char will prepare a draft agenda and send it to committee members for comments; Linda Phillips agreed to facilitate the next General Meeting and Betsy Robertson will take minutes.