Commission recommends pool resurfacing to finance committee; asks staff for schedule, contractor availability and costs

The Parks and Recreation Commission voted to recommend that the county finance committee authorize resurfacing work on the county swimming pool and to consider using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the project. Commissioners asked staff to confirm contractor schedules and whether the selected contractor could complete work in time for the upcoming pool season.

Cliff Salee reviewed the pool bid and described the project as a complete plaster replacement and pump-room work. “The adult pool, the big pool was … and then the kiddie pool would have been 22,000,” Salee said when discussing bid sections; the transcript records $22,000 specifically for the kiddie-pool analyzer/automatic injection item. Salee and other speakers emphasized that a full plaster resurfacing requires stripping the current surface down to rebar, and that curing and weather can affect schedule.

Mister Tyler, who identified his experience working on pools, told the commission that automated chlorinators and water analyzers can extend the life of a plaster pool. “Using automated chlorinators and water analyzers will extend the life of a plaster pool at least 30%,” he said, explaining that steady chemical dosing reduces daily hyperchlorination that speeds plaster breakdown.

Commissioners asked about contractor timelines, whether the automated chemical feed could be added later and anticipated shutdown duration. The contractor estimate in the packet (as described in the meeting) gave a maximum of about three weeks for surface stripping and resurfacing, weather permitting. Salee said staff would contact Madison Swimming Pools and other installers to determine schedule placement and whether work could be completed before the pool opens in May.

On a motion to recommend approval of the resurfacing project to the finance committee and use ARPA funding, the commission carried the motion on a show-of-hands vote. Mr. Gulley announced he would vote no: “I want to state this before we vote. I'm going to vote no because we don't have all those answers yet.” The chair then counted hands and stated the motion carried; the transcript records the chair asking for a show of hands and saying “1, 2, 4.” The motion included a stipulation that staff return with contractor availability and a recommended schedule prior to finance committee consideration.

The commission also took operational actions related to pool staffing and events: it voted to keep lifeguard and manager pay rates the same as the prior year and to retain the sign-on bonus and certification-fee reimbursement policy. The minutes referenced the prior-year rates as $10 per hour for lifeguards, $12 per hour for assistant managers, and $15 per hour for managers; the commission also previously approved a $200 sign-on bonus and certification reimbursement for returning or certified staff. The commission directed staff to begin lifeguard recruitment and to plan training in-house again this season.

Commissioners discussed pool parties and pricing. The record notes the commission set party policies in 2023 (two-hour parties priced at $125 for fewer than 50 people and $190 for 50 or more) and left party pricing unchanged for 2024; commissioners asked staff to compare neighboring facilities’ rates and report back at the February meeting.

The commission did not authorize a contract award at this meeting; it recommended forwarding the resurfacing proposal and funding source recommendation to the finance committee and requested staff return with contractor scheduling and finalized costs.