Council delays decision on allowing paddle boarding at Staver's Dam amid water-quality and liability concerns

Council debated whether to permit paddle boarding at Staver's Dam Park, with the mayor and staff urging caution because of potential water-quality issues, submerged vegetation and dam-related hazards.

"Paddle boarding commonly requires wading to launch and recover, and falls into the water are expected," Mayor Sherry Alcopello said, noting that Staver's Dam is surrounded by agricultural runoff and geese that can worsen bacterial contamination. The mayor said the city is conducting water testing and that existing rules prohibit swimming and wading at the dam.

The mayor and staff also cited liability and insurer concerns. The mayor said the city's risk-management team identified the activity as increased liability because underwater vegetation could entangle a swimmer and underwriting was pending. "Underwriting decision is still pending," the mayor said, and recommended legal review before changing the ordinance.

Council member McGuire, who introduced the ordinance to clarify which vessels are permitted, said the intent was to remove confusion and allow citizens to know whether paddleboards fit the definition of permitted boats. The Fish and Boat Commission classifies stand-up paddleboards as unpowered boats, councilors noted, but the mayor said that classification does not remove public-safety concerns at this particular dam.

Several council members urged tabling final action until staff completes water-quality testing and receives the insurance underwriting opinion; one council member proposed delaying introduction until August so that research and legal review could inform a final vote. The chair assigned the item for Monday's agenda but council indicated a preference to delay final approval while research continues.

No ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; council asked staff to return with test results, insurer feedback and legal review before any final decision.