Meetings can be unexpectedly eventful.
Monday's City of California Board of Aldermen special session, for example, drew a large, vocal crowd. The board met with a representative from Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding the outdoor swimming pool.
The topic of building an outdoor swimming pool has weighed on California for some time. Although the city applied for a $500,000 grant from DNR in February of 2021, it was not awarded until last May. Unfortunately, much of the project grew out of reach due to inflation.
DNR awarded the grant based on a plan for a six-lane olympic-sized pool with additional features for a waterpark facility to be built with it. However, plans for a smaller four-lane pool were submitted as well.
The initial costs for both ballooned in the amount of time the grant was considered, leaving most of the construction uncovered by the grant. For example, the cost of the city's four-lane outdoor pool plan went from $1.7 million to more than $3 million.
Tension in the meeting room could be felt between those in attendance. Residents occupied many of the seats in the area to voice their concern for the future of a pool in California, however, not necessarily as expected.
As DNR Outdoor Recreation Grants planner Patti Reed took the podium she explained the grant process to clear up any confusion regarding the project. Mayor Rich Reed laid out the issues discussed previously during board and committee meetings.
Green previously suggested closing California's indoor pool at 310 W. Stella St., as a way to free up funding for the outdoor pool's construction. The indoor pool has taken in $330,000 through taxes and, which has in turn, been used to maintain the structure. If the city were to close down the facility, funds from this tax revenue could be used in the construction of a new outdoor pool facility.
Many who attended the meeting appeared to show their disapproval of the idea. Residents stressed the city should keep the indoor pool open due to its history in California and convenience to citizens. Those who voiced their opinions said for years their children had learned to swim there and the indoor facility has been beneficial for physical therapy.
However, the indoor pool is 47 years old. Although it is still operational, its age offers some challenges as pool chemicals can be corrosive. Attendees suggested significant maintenance should be done at the existing facility, although without necessarily ruling out the construction of an outdoor pool.
Green emphasized in a previous pool committee meeting that to make any progress with a new outdoor facility the city would need to use $330,000 funds gained from the closing of the indoor pool https://www.californiademocrat.com/news/2022/aug/17/pool-committee-discusses-pool-replacement/
The debate between attendees, board members and Reed continued throughout the meeting. Ultimately, the board decided to meet again for another pool committee meeting with a list of pool financials available for attendees to evaluate.
In other business, the board approved the appointment of Kim Robertson to the position of alderwoman for Ward One after the resignation of Lorrie Grimes. Board members appointed Robertson for the role on Green's recommendation. City Clerk Jessica Farmer swore Robertson into office.