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Harbor House pool funding in FY27 is available, but operational control and MOU with HACA remain unsettled
Summary
Committee members agreed $45,000 was available in the proposed budget to help reopen the Harbor House pool, but an MOU with Housing Authority (HACA) must clarify responsibilities; staff warned that taking operational control would shift liability to the city.
Committee members discussed the Harbor House pool (often referenced as HACA pool) on May 11 and agreed that funds—approximately $45,000 in the draft budget—exist to support opening operations, but cautioned that responsibility for day-to-day management remains a negotiation with the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA).
Recreation and Parks staff and the Office of Law explained that HACA owns the property; the city can provide funds or staff support through a signed MOU but cannot unilaterally take operational control without assuming liability and insurance responsibilities. "If we take control, though, you do understand that we're also assuming liability and insurance for it," the Office of Law cautioned.
Given staffing constraints and recent unavailability of certified pool operators, committee members favored hiring a pool-management company. Committee members asked staff to finalize an MOU that clarifies which party is responsible for hiring, operations and the allocation of the budgeted funds. The committee instructed Recreation & Parks to pursue a short-term pool-operator contract to meet the Memorial Day opening goal if possible, and to ensure funding is routed consistent with procurement and liability rules.
Next steps: Recreation & Parks will work with Finance and the Office of Law to draft an MOU and to determine whether the $45,000 can be routed to HACA, a contractor, or an alternate mechanism to open the pool without the city assuming operational liability.
