McCall council approves starting process to join Swimmable Cities charter

The McCall City Council voted unanimously to begin the process of joining the Swimmable Cities charter, an international alliance that promotes safe, equitable access to clean urban waterways for swimming.

Michelle Grunewelt, McCall’s community and economic development director, told council that joining would commit the city to principles aimed at improving water quality and access for swimming and could provide policy and technical resources. She said the movement, sparked in part by efforts around the 2024 Paris Olympics, includes about 83 cities in 30 countries.

Local swimmers and advocates spoke to the council during the item. "I just think it's really important... having people, young and old, enjoy the water," said Kim Hamilton, a local swim advocate, who supported the city joining the alliance to emphasize swimming as a recreational use of Payette Lake.

Council members discussed potential next steps if the city signs on, including defining a local initiative (for example, designated swim areas, buoys or no-wake zones), integrating the charter into the McCall Area Comprehensive Plan goals for Payette Lake and considering learn-to-swim and safety programs. Michelle Grunewelt said staff would first gain internal alignment, then fill out an expression-of-interest form for the alliance.

The council approved a motion to start the process and directed staff to proceed; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes. Councilmembers noted the charter’s fit with local priorities such as recreation, public health, nature-based economy and water quality.