The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) turned down a request for additional pool funding, needed because of skyrocketing construction cost.
During Monday's Board of Aldermen meeting, Mayor Rich Green gave an update on the potential construction of an outdoor pool in California. During the past few months, the aldermen and a special pool committee have gathered to see if the project is a possibility.
Discussion came on the heels of an initial $500,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to the City of California in late May.
When the city first applied for the grant a year and half prior, an outdoor pool with features such as splash pad, water walk and climbing wall cost around $1.7 million to build. But, the price to build such a project ballooned to over $3 million.
The mayor said he wrote a letter to DNR requesting an increase in funding to keep up with inflation. He said the department denied this request, though it did confirm the city could be given an additional 25 percent ($125,000) during the build. Although this would benefit additional elements related to the project much of it would still not cover the outdoor pool.
Green told the board he requested a change in scope to make costs more affordable. In reports, he found the pool itself is the most expensive part of the project. If the outdoor pool and its additional features could be paired down into two separate phases, it would be more feasible financially. The features could be built now and then the pool at a later date when more funds have been collected.
DNR rejected this idea if the city still wishes to receive the agency's funds, stating the city could not materially change plans from what was submitted at the time. Green explained the city submitted a deficient plan to DNR which did not have several prominent features thought to be attached.
DNR stated the city currently has two options: either find a way to work through the expense issue or return the grant and resubmit at a later date. Aldermen Lanny Ash and Bryan Lawson suggested this be discussed at the next pool committee meeting.
Former mayor Norris Gerhart approached the board after listening to the update. He expressed if the grant continues to be an issue, then California could potentially build the project itself without the help of DNR.
Parks and Recreation Supervisor Leslie Scheidt suggested if California would be funding the project by itself then the city would be able to build in phases. Construct the cheaper installments first and then build the more expensive features.
Ultimately, the board decided to continue the discussion during the city's next pool committee meeting to evaluate what the city must do moving forward.