Wednesday, April 18, 2024
Public Pool Meeting
Wednesday, April 18, 2024
Dayton Elementary School
Multi-Purpose Room
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Columbia County Parks & Recreation Pool District held a public meeting to solicit feedback on a new community swimming pool.
Attending the meeting were all Board of Commissioners, Dianne McKinley, Katie Leid, Terri Hessler and Ted Lowe except Lisa Naylor.
Members of the public included Kris Takemura, Carol Anderson, Janice Pittman, Mike and Michele Smith, Kevin Rust, Russel, Gracie Pearson, Jessica Ruffcorn and one or two unnamed attendees.
Ted, Dianne and Katie explained the meeting format. A short slide presentation was offered, but technical difficulties made it hard to view. The public was comfortable asking many questions and the Board was responsive with answers.
Dianne explained how the Board was organized; the need for Board insurance, services of an attorney, bookkeeper, etc. She also explained the Board is responsible for paying back Columbia County for the election costs. The Board needs to act quickly and present how they’d (we’d) ask for taxes to maintain the pool for this 2024 November ballot. Dianne explained how the taxing system works.
Flip chart paper was posted on the wall and the public was asked to write what the community attendees) wanted most in a community pool. The entire group then voted using colored dots and the results were tabulated as follows:
Seasonal (2) vs. Covered Pool (9)
Heated Pool (14)
Lap Swim/Aquasize
(11) (3)
0 – Entry for disabled and small children (7)
Swimming Lanes
6 lanes (4) 8 lanes (8)
Other ideas
Concessions
Kiddie Pool
L – Shaped Pool (like Prescott)
Splash pads
Several questions arose from the audience regarding grants. Dianne explained many Board members have experience writing grants. There were also concerns about how taxes would be raised and by how much. Dianne shared it will cost more each year to build, operate and maintain a new swimming pool.
Dianne talked about the difference between the Parks & Recreation Pool District and Friends of the Pool (FotP). FotP money CANNOT be used by the Pool District Board of Commissioners. FotP money CAN BE USED to help various pool related expenses or as match for grant opportunities. Board members CANNOT sign funding requests, but can offer suggestions and recommendations; working together with FotP members. The Board was hoping for new volunteers to step up with FotP. No one volunteered.
The Board explained why the old pool is not usable. A new pool may depend on an engineer’s assessment of the site. The general feeling was people wanted the pool in its current location, but it was mentioned moving the pool to near Blue Mountain Station.
Prior to the public meeting, several questions were made to a Board member regarding the ballot measure, when taxes are collected, who pays for election costs and what is the current balance of the Friends of the Pool account, managed by the local Community Network, (ComNet).
If an existing or new ballot measure is on this fall’s ballot, the tax collection process would make the collected money available in 2025.
The state legislature passed a law (RCW 29A.04.410) that made all election costs be passed on to the “constituencies.”
ComNet, (Community Network), as fiscal sponsor holds the current balance of $23,005.24 for Friends of the Pool. Fiscal sponsorship allows FotP to operate under the ComNet 501(c)(3) nonprofit umbrella.
Special thanks to Joe Huether for providing this information.