Ojai council approves one‑year pilot to open Nordhoff Pool for Sundays and summer; YMCA lessons added as option
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Summary
After public comment and staff analysis, the council authorized staff to proceed with a one‑year pilot to operate open swim and lap swim at Nordhoff Pool (Sundays and summer vacation days), including proposed partnerships with the YMCA and Lane4; estimated first‑year cost for a limited schedule was roughly $57,000–$60,000.
The city council voted to authorize staff to implement a one‑year pilot to operate community aquatics programming at Nordhoff Pool, after receiving a status update on prior council direction and public comment from residents and local advocacy groups. Staff presented a range of options: a minimum program of Sunday open swim and lap swim (cost estimated at roughly $28,000 for Sundays plus $28,000 for 12 weeks of summer vacation coverage in the illustrative budget), a broader city‑run model (roughly $57,000–$60,000), and a model that includes YMCA‑provided swim lessons that could push total first‑year costs toward the $100,000 range.
Miss Rivera and Miss Holman explained the baseline staffing that would be required (lifeguards and a supervisor), timing options (4.5‑hour increments for Sundays, 4 hours of open swim in summer examples such as 8 a.m.–12 p.m. or 10 a.m.–2 p.m.), scholarship options within the recreation department, and the expectation that the Unified School District would retain responsibility for pool maintenance. Staff said Lane4 has provided a proposal (a professional services agreement not to exceed approximately $10,000) that would evaluate multi‑agency operations and models for a nonprofit to run a long‑term program; that agreement was described as nearly final.
Public commenters urged careful long‑term planning and suggested using transient occupancy tax funds or formation of a valley‑wide parks and recreation district for sustainability; several residents emphasized the importance of swim lessons and weekday schedule options for swim teams and water polo. Supporters urged the council to proceed quickly to provide summer access, while several council members noted this should be a pilot and that staff should return with fee, salary‑schedule, scholarship and scheduling details.
Council moved and seconded a staff direction package that included: salary schedule modifications, fee schedule updates, scholarship program updates (including specifying Ojai Valley residents in scholarship criteria), schedule details, an agreement framework with OUSD, and approval to proceed with a YMCA lessons pilot offering (staff to come back with precise contracts and cost implications). The motion passed on roll call (unanimous among members voting at that roll call). Staff will return with concrete salary and fee schedule updates and a program evaluation after the pilot period.
The council emphasized the pilot nature of the plan and the need to pursue longer‑term, sustainable funding and partnerships if the program is expanded beyond the pilot year.
