News

Owosso council discusses future of pool

By NATHAN BRUTTELL Argus-Press Staff Writer

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 9:52 AM EDT

OWOSSO - Several members of the community came out in support of Holman Pool at the City Council meeting Monday night as the council considered options to put a millage for the pool on the November ballot.

All proposals must be completed before the city council's Aug. 18 meeting to be put on the ballot. City Manager Joe Fivas said he was not sure if the city could get an estimate in time.

Fivas said he would have numbers of pool use and an estimated cost, as well as options for millage proposal formats for the people and council members to examine at the next council meeting Aug. 4.

Although estimates could not be made as to the cost, Fivas said “it might be a little bit higher” than the last millage.

Shiawassee Family YMCA Board President Ann Bentley said Holman Pool has had nearly 4,000 visits so far this year.

Parks and Recreation Director Kevin M. Brown and several lifeguards for the pool were in attendance to voice their support. Also on hand were frequent pool users from around Owosso.

A few of the lifeguards said the pool not only provides a source of entertainment to the residents, but also swim lessons to children.

Mayor Michael Bruff said he wanted to make sure a millage was the best option for the pool.

“I heard you guys (lifeguards), having jobs is great and teaching the kids is great,” he said. “I have no problem putting it to the voters, but I don't believe the city's general fund can afford it. It would have to be a millage.”

The pool, which has served the neighborhood for more than 50 years, has been in need of repairs and reconstruction. The pool is free to all residents, which means there is no source of income other than the city.

Various fundraisers organized by Brown and Councilman Gary Martenis have kept the pool running for the past few years. A 0.291 mill-tax was approved two years ago, but before a renewal could be considered, the council had to weigh the cost to the residents.

Martenis said if a millage was provided and the pool had to close, he wanted to make sure residents would not be charged. Fivas said the city would find a way for people to get their money back in that case.

In other business:

n Members of the audience spoke about the current burning ordinance.

Resident Shelah Hockman, of 705 Campbell Drive, said she would hold a meeting at her home at 11 a.m. Friday to look into putting a petition together to ban open burning in Owosso.

The only way a ban could take affect is if residents organized a petition to the council before the Aug. 18 deadline.

- Contact Nathan Bruttell at 725-5136 extension 231 or nbruttellarguspress@gmail.com.

Comment on this Story

taxpayer wrote on Jul 24, 2008 5:17 PM:

" It's time to close the pool. Let's teach our kids the value of a dollar. With the condition of our economy, it would be a lesson to teach our kids that we can't always have the "extra things" in life. We need to focus on the necessities first before we can spend money on things that we can do without. Mom and Dad don't have money growing on trees. There is nothing wrong with saying, "I'm sorry kids, but we just can't afford it". "

Colleen Vitale wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:32 AM:

" Its great the pool has had 4,000 visits this year, however how many are repeat users??? If you live at the northend of town, its harder for your children to get to the pool.
I feel if you want to use the pool, you should pay for it, a monthly or yearly pass. "

Sarah wrote on Jul 23, 2008 2:38 PM:

" I agree. My little ones love the pool, it's worth the money. I would be happy to pay a couple dollars to use it each visit or a couple dollars each month on taxes.

Has the park situation been spoken of yet? Bentley Park needs some major reconstruction of the "toys".... it's shameful. Perhaps we could get some company and community volunteers to help? :) "

Kevin Michael Brown wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:41 PM:

" First of all, Nathan, I am not "Parks and Recreation Director". I am the chair of the Parks and Recreation COMMISSION. Big difference.
"Directors" get paid, I am a volunteer.
Secondly, I thought I made it very clear when I stood up to speak that I was there as a private citizen, a USER of the pool and (before this commission was created) helped raise some money to keep the pool open for the summer of 2006 and get enough signatures on a petition (over 5,000 if I remember correctly) to put a millage question on the ballot.
We then worked to educate the voters as to just how much (approximately) this millage would add to their taxes. A co-worker of mine figured her cost to $9.00/six months, or $18.00/ year or a little over ONE DOLLAR per month.
There is a possibility, according to City Manager Joe Fivas, that if the millage is extended via a ballot initiative in November, that it will cost more to make needed repairs on the pool and to continue its operation.
IF the cost to residents/taxpayers were DOUBLED (not likely) that would still only be $36.00 (approximately) per year for a $150,000 home.... that's $3.00/month.
As far as charging entry to the pool, between the wages of an extra TWO employees (boys side and girls side one each) and the bookkeeper/accountant to process it, wouldn't be much left over.
So, I hope the city staff and whatever outside experts they bring in to help assess the feasibility of repairing and keeping the pool open are able to come up with an amount before the August 18 City Council meeting so they can vote to put it on the November ballot.
Any and all support is appreciated and ALL are invited to the next Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting, Monday, July 28, 6 p.m. council chambers, city hall. Y'all come, heah? "

Jim wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:23 PM:

" Stop the politician excuses Mr. Bruff! If the city wanted to, it could come up with the resources for keeping the pool in good condition. Why has the city been neglecting it for all these years anyway? There is NO excuse for it. Cut some of your "pork barrel projects" and do something good for all the citizens in Owosso that use the pool. They are your best investment, and should not be put down so far on your "to do list". Thanks to Mr. Brown for his continued support for the local kids, and hoepfully his attitude will rub off on the "city fathers"? (Of course, you probably have your own private pools, so why bother with the little guys.) Now go back to the drawing board and help these kids and other pool users out, for crying out loud! Thank you! "