Council members debated July 21 whether to place a bond measure for a municipal pool on the November ballot or delay to a later election after more design work. The discussion tied into broader debate about timing and structure for a proposed city campus and other bond questions on the same ballot.

Staff noted an RFQ for pool design has been posted for the required 30-day period and explained project planning steps. City Manager Austin Blais said design typically takes six to nine months after consultant selection, although council members raised the possibility of shorter schedules if staff and consultants prioritized the work. Staff also warned that if the city calls a November election and voters approve bonds, the earliest funds would likely be available in mid-January because of the time required to sell bonds and close the sale.

Council members said they remain split: some asked to place a $5–6 million bond on the November ballot to deliver a pool sooner, while others urged delay to the May election (or to allow more time) because they want more complete cost and design certainty and broader public input. Council members referenced prior pool planning that used 2023 cost estimates (approximately $4 million then) and noted construction inflation since. One council member pointed out design fees historically run about 12% of project cost and that a partially funded bond could mean staff would stop design work if voters reject the measure, limiting sunk design costs.

Several council members said the pool question is tightly linked politically to the proposed city campus and other bond measures; some favored a single ballot approach to show the city is advancing multiple priorities together, while others worried that placing several large measures on one ballot could create voter fatigue. No final vote on a pool bond amount occurred; council agreed to continue discussion, reconvene the meeting on July 22, and directed staff to bring draft bond language and timeline options back to the Aug. 18 meeting.

Ending: The council recessed the session and scheduled a continuation for July 22 and follow-up items for Aug. 18 where staff will present draft ordinances and timing options for any bond measures.