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Public commenters press committee over Kennedy Park fundraising, pool costs
Summary
Speakers criticized the Friends of Kennedy Park' fundraising progress and ongoing pool operating costs, urging clearer financial reporting and reconsideration of the MOU if fundraising stalls; committee and staff responded with context on donations and fundraising timelines.
During the public comment period a speaker urged the committee to reassess the Friends of Kennedy Park memorandum of understanding, saying the group has raised only $105,950 over three years excluding two large family gifts and that reporting of expenses and receipts has been inadequate.
The commenter asked the committee to recommend terminating the MOU and find a new fundraising entity, and questioned swim‑season economics, saying the pool is open far fewer than the seasonal days assumed and that "it's costing more than $3,000 per day just to flip the open sign on," a figure cited to emphasize operating costs. Committee members and staff responded that fundraising progress includes larger gifts and that some grant opportunities were pursued but not secured. Staff noted the community foundation balance for some project work and urged patience, saying the capital campaign is still early in its timeline.
Committee members also discussed expectations for long-range master-plan phasing and that master plans do not require immediate construction; one member noted the MOU with the Friends group was adopted in late 2024 and that roughly $600,000 had been raised overall as of the update, a figure used to argue that the campaign is making progress.
