Council acknowledges affordability concerns as Piedmont sets pool fees

Several council members and the pool advisory committee expressed concern that the proposed daily drop-in rate—"about $20 plus or minus"—and the nonresident premium could limit access for lower-income residents even as the city seeks cost recovery.

Pool Advisory Committee Chair Steve Roland said the committee prioritized resident access but acknowledged unease: "It would be a shame if somebody could not afford that," he said, and the committee asked that the Recreation Department review and strengthen financial assistance options. Recreation Director Shelley Putzer told council the city has an older fee-assistance model used occasionally for programs and that staff will revise it with the Rec Commission as a follow-up action.

Council members also raised the possibility of extending resident rates to full-time city and school district employees; staff said the council would need to make that policy decision and that some longstanding local policies have offered programmatic benefits to school/staff in limited contexts. The council did not change the adopted fee schedule at the meeting but directed staff to clarify and update the fee-assistance process and report back.