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Alpine council advances pool rule requiring unaccompanied minors be at least 13; residents urged lower minimum
Summary
The City Council gave first reading to an ordinance changing Alpine Municipal Pool rules so unaccompanied minors must be at least 13. A Ward 1 resident urged the council to lower the age to 8 or 9 and council members discussed enforcement and ID options.
The Alpine City Council on April 16 approved the first reading of an ordinance that would require unaccompanied minors at the Alpine Municipal Swimming Pool to be at least 13 years old.
Austin Smith of Ward 1, speaking during public comment, urged the council to set a younger minimum. "I think that 13 is much too high, and I would ask that you consider 8 or 9," said Austin Smith. He told the council that younger children often responsibly use public pools and that raising the age could disproportionately limit access for children of working families.
City staff and council members debated enforcement options and the effect on lifeguards. City Manager Megan noted the Parks and Recreation Board recommended updates including the age change and other rules such as banning vaping and clarifying glass containers. Council members raised practical questions about identification for minors and how lifeguards—often teenagers themselves—would enforce the rule. Council Member Stone asked how the city would verify a child's age; City Manager Megan said the board had discussed using school IDs as a near-term option.
Council Member Stevens, who said he sympathized with both safety and parents' independence, described a tension between requiring lifeguards to police behavior and protecting the safety of younger patrons. Several council members suggested adding operational steps—such as waivers, season passes with markings or a clearer lifeguard guidance policy—before the ordinance’s second reading.
The council voted unanimously on first reading; the ordinance will return for a second reading where council members said they expect to refine enforcement details. No final change to the ordinance's minimum age will take effect until the second and final reading is adopted.
Ending: Staff was directed to work with the Parks and Recreation Board and pool staff to develop practical verification and enforcement procedures for council consideration at the next reading.
