HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecommendations for Community Aquatics Needs, optimized
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Mitch Overton, Director Parks and Recreation
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
SUBJECT: Recommendations to Meet Current and Future Community Aquatics Needs.
MEETING DATE: August 12, 2013
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Action
RECOMMENDATION: The FY14 budget contains the following funding for aquatics;
$325,000 originally planned for the construction of a new splash pad, $125,000 for preliminary design of a new aquatics facility, and $25,000 for maintenance to Bogert Pool. Prior to spending that funding, the City Commission asked staff to return with a more comprehensive analysis and
plan for meeting the Bozeman community’s aquatics needs during the planning, design, and
approval process of a new city pool. The following recommendations are presented for the
Commission’s review and represent the staff’s plan moving forward; 1. Reduce the amount of money originally planned for the construction of a splash pad
($325,000) by $100,000 and allocate that money for additional repairs to Bogert Pool.
We believe we can extend the life of the Bogert pool for the 2014 and 2015 summer
seasons by making repairs as described below; 2. Proceed with the design and construction of a public splash pad at Bozeman Ponds with a budget of $225,000;
3. Allocate any additional resources from the city’s FY 2014 mill levy value to increase the
design and engineering budget for a new family aquatics center for Bozeman with a
target opening date of 2016. (IF Department of Revenue confirms a value higher than our 2% estimate);
SUGGESTED MOTION: Having reviewed staff recommendations and considered public
comment I move to:
1. Increase the maintenance budget for Bogert Swimming Pool by $100,000 for fiscal
year 2014;
2. Proceed with the design and build of a splash pad amenity at Bozeman Ponds and
allocate $225,000 from the fiscal year 2014 budget;
3. Direct staff to present, as a part of the Tax Levy Resolution, a levy not to exceed 178.89 mills, with any previously un-anticipated revenues being added to the current
Pool Design budget line-item.
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BACKGROUND: We have two goals as they relate to this discussion: 1) City Commission
authorization to shift existing resources into additional repairs at Bogert Pool, build a splash pad
at the Bozeman Ponds and increase the design budget for a new aquatics center. 2) Raise
awareness of investments taking place across the City to ensure the community has reliable expanded aquatics amenities.
Bogert Pool will require additional repairs at the close of the 2013 season to increase its lifespan
while we design and build a new family aquatics center to replace it.
The following health and safety, and maintenance deficiencies were noted at the pool during the 2013 Health Department Inspection:
1. The main drains and slide water intake are not in compliance with the Virginia Graeme
Baker Act. Replacing the main drains and the intake on the slide is estimated to cost $50,000. Replacement of the drains requires that the drains in the deep end of the pool be removed and new drains at least 18 inches deep must be plumbed into the pool.
2. The pool shell requires sandblasting and painting at an estimated cost of $50,000. There
are over 25 layers of paint to be removed before repainting the pool. This will include the pool interior and the painted portion of the gutter system.
3. The Montana Boiler Inspector expressed grave concern regarding the continued operation
of the 1949 steam boiler and recommended not operating the boiler past the 2013 season.
Utilizing high efficiency boilers, similar to what was installed at the Swim Center, will lower the consumption of natural gas; current boiler operates at a 30% efficiency rate while replacement technology is 98% efficient. We are also planning for the reuse of this
replacement boiler at the new family aquatics facility. The boiler replacement is
estimated to cost $100,000 including engineering and installation.
Current Maintenance Budget. The FY14 budget contains $25,000 to make needed repairs at Bogert Pool. We recommend shifting $100,000 from the splash pad construction to the Bogert
Pool maintenance. Staff recommends using the following strategy to close the $75,000 gap
between the improvements listed above and our $125,000 maintenance budget.
1. Find alternatives to sandblasting the pool. 2. Use the general fund contingency line item to make up the actual gap. The FY14 budget includes a $150,000 general fund contingency; and
3. Make cuts to the general fund budget, shifting additional resources needed for Bogert
Pool.
Splash Pad at Bozeman Ponds. The installation of a splash pad at Bozeman Ponds would not only create an additional aquatic amenity for the Bozeman community, it would also add to the
breadth and variety of park amenities offered by the City without requiring additional staff.
Splash Pads have been a favored park/aquatic installation in municipalities across the country
because of their relative low cost to operate compared to their high visitation rates and for their
conservative use of water. Currently, the City’s budget has allocated $325,000 for the installation of a splash pad. It is possible to scale the splash pad installation down, removing
$100,000 from the splash pad allocation and redirecting the money to Bogert Pool to help offset
identified safety and maintenance costs. By locating the splash pad at Bozeman Ponds we are
able to utilize existing rest room and outdoor shower facilities. If necessary for budgetary
purposes, we can phase in some of the splash pad amenities and plan for them in future budgets or engage private donors if more than $225k is needed. By building the City’s first splash pad
we continue our commitment to offer a high level of service to the community.
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Future Aquatics Facility. The City Commission currently has allocated $125,000 to begin
architectural design and engineering for a future Bozeman Family Aquatics Center. Requests for
Qualifications for design professionals were received until July 30, 2013. The need for such a facility is identified in Bozeman’s 2012 Recreation and Aquatics Facilities Feasibility Study adopted by the City Commission on January 7, 2013. Staff is recommending the construction of
an indoor/outdoor family aquatics facility capable of providing year-round swim lessons, hosting
short course swim meets and further servicing the aquatics needs of the entire community. We
estimate that an additional $375,000 will be needed in the FY 2015 budget to complete enough of the design and engineering for voters to consider the project in November of 2014.
Should the Commission approve the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) property at
907 North Rouse as the location of the new pool, it would be beneficial to allocate additional
resources to further the design of the new aquatics center. If the City’s mill levy value exceeds the estimate used to create the FY 2014 budget, additional resources could be allocated to the $125,000 currently budgeted for the design. These recommended changes would not have an
effect on the number of mills levied, therefore property taxes would not increase above what was
estimated to fund the adopted FY 2014 budget. Under this scenario, the earliest the new facility
could open is 2016. In addition to the three aquatics projects listed above there are two additional projects moving
forward to ensure the City has a variety of reliable and desirable aquatics amenities.
East Gallatin Recreation Area. The beach area is being extended by 150 feet and a swim dock is being added. These improvements are funded through a partnership between the City of Bozeman, Sunrise Rotary and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and partially funded through a
2013 Park Improvement Grant. This project enhances a popular outdoor swimming venue in the
Bozeman community. We are currently working to certify City lifeguards in open water rescue
in order to staff Bozeman Beach in the future. This increase in personnel budget will be reflected in the FY 2015 budget request from the City’s Aquatics Division.
Swim Center Maintenance. The FY14-18 Capital Improvement Plan includes $773,000 for
improvements and maintenance of the Bozeman Swim Center:
FY15 GF137 Swim Center Pool Filtration System $135,000 GF192 Swim Center Ceiling Tile Replacement $ 40,000
FY16 GF142 Swim Center Pool Gutter and Edge Tiles,
Pool Resurfacing, Underwater Lighting $400,000
FY17 GF181 Swim Center Deck Tile Replacement $198,000
Staff recommends continuing the maintenance schedule at the Bozeman Swim Center.
Consistent with investments made over the past five years, the next five years are critical to
avoid a situation at the Swim Center similar to that found at Bogert Pool. These investments also ensure our ability to offer swimming lessons to the community even if Bogert Pool were to close
prior to opening the new family aquatics facility.
ALTERNATIVES: As directed by the City Commission
FISCAL EFFECTS: The adopted FY14 budget includes $325,000 originally planned for a new
splash park, repairs to Bogert Pool and funding to begin the design of a family aquatics center.
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The above recommendation shifts $100,000 of that allocation into the current Bogert Pool
maintenance budget to make repairs as described above. If additional resources are needed for
Bogert pool, the City Manager will have to make other budget cuts or utilize the general fund
contingency account to complete the needed repairs. Additionally, if the City’s mill levy value exceeds the estimate used to create the FY 2014 budget, The City Manager recommends these additional resources be allocated specifically for the design of a new family aquatics facility.
These recommended changes have no effect on how many mills the City levies and therefore
will not increase property taxes above what has been previously estimated to fund the adopted
FY 2014 budget. Attachments: None
Report compiled on: August 6, 2013
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