Board approves emergency repair ordinance for Dectron unit at Riverchase YMCA

The Board of Aldermen voted Sept. 11 to authorize the mayor to execute an emergency repair agreement for the Dectron heating/cooling unit that serves the indoor pool at Riverchase YMCA. City staff said the immediate repair is needed to avoid substantially higher natural-gas heating costs and potential failure of the backup system.

City staff presented diagnostic findings and a repair estimate. Dan Howard, identified in the meeting as the staff member leading the department’s work on the unit, said technicians found circulation problems and a failing compressor fan and noted the unit was low on refrigerant. “The pump for the Dectron had burning up issues… the water was not getting warmed for the indoor pool as it should,” Howard said, summarizing the on-site diagnosis and the recommended fix. Staff reported a repair estimate in the range of $18,000–$19,000 and said a second bid from DECA addressed a single component for a similar price.

Staff and YMCA representative Millie (Riverchase YMCA) told aldermen that the Dectron helps keep the pool at about 83 degrees and that, while the pool remained stable at the time of the meeting, failure of the unit in colder weather would force the city to use the gas boiler and raise operating costs. Howard said technicians recommended replacing the compressor, redoing piping to remove a suspected airlock or blockage, installing a new condenser fan and repriming the system so the Dectron can resume its normal free-heat function.

The meeting record shows the ordinance was introduced as Bill 24-78. Speaker 6 read the ordinance language as an authorization for the mayor to execute an agreement with the contractor named in the transcript; the contractor’s name appears in the meeting record with multiple spellings (see audit). Alderman sponsorship and motions were made on the floor to waive rules for a second reading and to adopt the bill.

The Board voted by roll call to adopt Bill 24-78 as Ordinance 44 74. The clerk recorded the following votes (as read into the record): Alderman Hils — Aye; Alderman Westbrook — Aye; Alderman Brightshaft — Aye; Alderman Harrell — Aye; Alderman Mazurang — Aye; Alderman Jokers — Aye; Alderman Claws — Aye. The presiding officer announced the motion carried and the ordinance was adopted.

The purchase/repair agreement and contractor authorization approved by the ordinance cover emergency repairs to the Dectron unit at Riverchase YMCA; the transcript lists a repair estimate of about $18,000–$19,000. The meeting record does not include the fully executed contract, warranty details, or a precise funding source for the work. The ordinance step concluded the board’s formal action; the meeting then adjourned.

Next steps: the mayor may execute the agreement authorized by the ordinance, and staff will proceed with the contracted repairs per the vendor recommendations.