Council presses for capital review and clear decision points on proposed Aquatics & Fitness Center

Leslie Herman, director of Parks & Recreation, presented a three‑phase timeline for the proposed Aquatics & Fitness Center and said the CIP includes a $33,000,000 design advance funded by Navy Federal Credit Union.

Herman said the next council decision is expected to be awarding a project‑management contract (staff are evaluating 14 submissions), followed by hiring a design firm and then design work with public hearings, schematic and final presentations.

Multiple council members urged caution. Council member Anderson said she had requested a capital budget review and asked for clearer ‘‘decision points’’ and updated 2024 cost numbers before committing further staff time or funds. She said she was “not happy” that RFPs had been issued before the council explicitly approved going to procurement and asked whether the council retains the authority to approve or disapprove hiring a project manager; the town attorney and finance director said award of any contract will come to council for approval.

Council member Springsteen and others raised concerns about water and sewer system needs and said the town should consider the replacement rate for aging pipes before committing to large new projects that may add long‑term operating costs.

Town staff said water and sewer line replacement is funded by water/sewer rates (not the meals tax) and that consultants and financing options can mitigate rate impacts if the town increases replacement from the industry median (about 1%) toward the 70th percentile figure discussed (~2.2%). Staff reiterated that the RFP and evaluation steps are intended to create better cost and operating estimates for council decisions.

Council did not vote to halt the procurement; staff said the project‑manager award will be presented to council and that further design and community engagement steps will follow if the council approves moving forward.