Council tables proposed Shenandoah Sharks lease after residents warn of steep rate hike

Shenandoah City Council on Jan. 8 heard extended public comment on a proposed five-year lease with the Shenandoah Sharks swim team and voted to table the contract for further work after residents warned the proposed rate increase could jeopardize the volunteer-run program.

The city presented a new flat hourly rate that staff said would replace the previous contract, move the team onto a fixed five‑year schedule and add penalties for use of the pool outside agreed rental times. City staff said the change was driven by increased personnel and operating costs and that the new rate was intended to cover current lifeguard pay and chemicals. "So we took that cost of what the city pays just to manage this hour to hour, and then added a 15% inflation buffer…" a staff member said in explaining how the $76 per hour figure was reached.

Sharks supporters told council the increase would be difficult for the nonprofit to absorb. "This proposal includes a significant rent increase of about 50%," said resident and former Sharks president Mike McLeod, urging council to "refrain from implementing the proposed increase" and instead pursue a partnership-style agreement to keep the program viable. Jessica Withrow, who said she is the team's current president, described the contract as "almost too high for us to afford for the long term," noting the Sharks rely on sponsorships and volunteer labor to operate.

Staff described several contract changes: a move from an annual 2% step increase to a flat rate for the five-year term; a change to the resident-discount formula from 1:1 to a 1:1.5 ratio (increasing the effective resident discount if a given share of participants live in Shenandoah); new penalties for tenants who use the pool outside reserved public hours; limits around paid coaching outside rental times; and reserved slots for Shenandoah residents during early registration.

Speakers representing the Sharks and longtime residents emphasized the program's community benefits, including local economic activity around swim meets, volunteer involvement and youth development. Council members also flagged that the previous lease included an auto-renewal and a two‑year cancellation notice, protections some residents said should be considered for the new agreement.

After public comment, Councilman Pollard moved to table the item and Councilman Robinson seconded. Council agreed to delay action so staff and councilists could continue discussions with Sharks representatives and explore alternatives to the proposed pricing structure. The item will return to a future meeting for further consideration.