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Council declines immediate draw on reserves to fund Sierra Recreation Center rehabilitation; asks staff for further analysis
Summary
Councilmember Trish Kelly moved to use roughly $1.75 million from reserves to rehabilitate the Sierra Recreation Center; staff said that would lower projected reserves from about 48.8% to 46.6%, Councilmembers asked for more study and the motion failed after mixed votes.
Councilmember Trish Kelly moved on April 8 that the Mission Viejo City Council approve funding for a Sierra Recreation Center rehabilitation by using reserve funds. Kelly described the facility's needs — replastering the pool and updating aging equipment — and proposed an approximately $1.75 million allocation from reserves.
"I would like to move that we approve funding for the Sierra Recreation Center rehabilitation... from the reserve fund," Kelly said. When asked for the fiscal impact, staff (Miss Chang) said using $1,750,000 of reserves would reduce the projected reserve level from about 48.8% at the end of FY 2024–25 to about 46.6%.
Several councilmembers said they supported renovating the facility in principle but wanted more detail on funding sources and the longer-term effect on reserves. Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Bucknam and Councilmember Cynthia Vasquez said they wanted additional study and careful consideration of whether to use reserves now.
The motion to fund the Sierra Recreation Center from reserves failed after mixed votes. Councilmember Kelly asked the item be reconsidered when the city 'trues up' the budget and surplus funds (if any) become available.
What was decided: Rather than immediately approving the allocation from reserves, the council asked staff to provide a more detailed analysis of funding options, the short- and long-term reserve impacts, and potential timing for the project when final FY numbers are available.
Provenance: The discussion began with the CIP presentation (item 16) and continued through debate, a motion and a recorded staff estimate of reserve impacts.
