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Commissioners told city must re-vote to borrow for $2.6M state pool grant; locals debate site
Summary
City staff said Sherrill received a $2.6 million state SWIMS grant for a new pool but legal advice requires four of five commissioners to vote to borrow the local share (up to $650,000). Commissioners and residents debated whether to rebuild at the current site or relocate beside the CAC.
City officials told the Sherrill City Commission on March 23 that the city has been awarded state funding toward a new pool but cannot proceed with local borrowing until the commission complies with a statutory voting threshold.
A city official explained the legal requirement in detail: "So technically, you had 4 commissioners here. You had 3 commissioners vote in favor, and 1 commissioner vote against," and staff said the statutory 0.667 threshold means four of five votes are required to authorize borrowing. The official added the grant award figure: "we received $2,600,000 of state funding for the SWIMS grant." The proposed financing is described as an 80/20 split, leaving the city potentially liable for up to $650,000 as its share.
Commissioners discussed timing and next steps. The city official said the grant disbursement agreement (GDA) from DASNY had not yet been received and that, even if the GDA arrived, staff could not begin work until mid-April at the earliest. Commissioners debated whether to set a public hearing at the next meeting or delay it; staff advised a short delay would not be materially detrimental but reiterated that a new resolution must be presented with all five commissioners voting.
Public commenters and one commissioner urged staff to consider siting the new pool adjacent to the Community Activity Center (CAC) to maintain continuous service and leverage existing amenities. One resident argued the CAC already provides bathrooms, lockers and a concession area. City staff cautioned that relocating the project could add substantial costs (an estimated 20–40% increase), require new water/waste lines and another pool house, and might exceed the grant scope without approval from the grantor. City staff offered to reissue an updated public survey through Oneida County planning to test public sentiment and to schedule any required public hearing in accordance with the procedural requirements.
