City of Centralia Fairview Park Pool Committee met Jan. 10.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Smith: The meeting was called to order at 5:05PM.
II. ROLL CALL
____ Eric Collins ____ Jacy Keef
____ Amanda Marshall ____ Mickey Martin
____ Stephanie Perez ____ Jennifer Price
____ Robert “Spanky” Smith
Ex-Officio Members
____ Advisory Staff -Derek Sherman, Economic Development Director
III. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Speaker from Burbach & Associates
1. Sherman introduced Roger Schamberger from Burbach Aquatics, Inc. to present to the Pool Committee about Burbach Aquatics, their past projects, the services they provide, and the potential next steps for the Fairview Park Pool Committee. Roger stated that Burbach has been in business for 45 years and Roger has been with them for 26 years, and he was a former customer of Burbach Aquatics with the Lena, IL Park District’s public pool development. Roger mentioned that he has met with Centralia’s Mayor and our City Manager along with the previous City Manager Lowell Crow. Roger stated that Burbach completed the Phase I Step I study for Fairview Park Pool for the city of Centralia in 2021. The study showed that there is high groundwater present at the current pool location and in the surrounding park and the current pool had a myriad of things not done correctly during construction. Burbach stated that they have taken this into consideration, and there are ways to overcome the high ground water issues and that if the city were to continue utilizing Burbach through this process Burbach monitors the contractors during construction to prevent the contractors from cutting corners. Roger stated that they are currently in the process of help Carlyle, IL complete the updates to their pool, and showcased a project along the Mississippi River (Colvill Park in Redwing, Minnesota) that was built on a complete wetlands. Roger discussed Wayne Park in Elgin that has a pool going over Tyler Creek, which required some additional engineering efforts. Roger said that for Centralia next is Phase I Step II, which consists of Burbach coming up with conceptual designs based on surveying our community, a population analysis of Centralia, and an analysis of aquatic facilities in our community & nearby communities to determine the size, amenities, and feasibility of having a pool in Centralia with the idea of making it effective for 25 years. Burbach does not install shotcrete/gunite pools (like our current facility) as they do not last. Burbach strictly puts in double steel reinforced caste in place concrete vessels with a 50-year design life with it being painted with a two-part epoxy. Additionally, Burbach is licensed with the Illinois Department of Public Health, which is required by the state of Illinois to engineer/design pools in the state of Illinois. Roger showed the Pool Committee an example of a single vessel pool that allows all three types of activities like our current pool, which cuts costs down and makes lifeguard staff easier. Roger mentions that Burbach helps with determining pricing to make the pool feasible for a municipality to continue to manage. Committee member Price asked if Burbach could ascertain if there are problems with any of the pools that they have constructed. Roger stated yes, they have a staff member devoted to asking the communities to provide feedback and Burbach uses that feedback for future projects. Committee member Keef mentioned that we have two municipal pools within twenty (20) minutes of Centralia that are currently operating at a deficit with no sign of that stopping. Keef wanted to know if Burbach can help us avoid a situation like the other communities are experiencing. Roger said that Burbach helps communities with the funding issues for pools. Burbach looks at grant opportunities like IDNR OSLAD grant for pools, help pass sales tax referendums for pools (Burbach has successfully passed 48 out of 49 sales tax referendums), and capital campaigns. Roger stated Burbach wants to design pools that are affordable to operate, build, and for patrons to visit, and utilize the pool as an attractor for economic development in town. Sherman asked Roger if there is a common funding source all the examples have utilized. Roger said donations (some up to a million dollars), bonds (usually tied to sales tax increases or property tax increases), and grants. Collins asked Roger how contractors are determined for these projects. Roger stated that they make the bid specifications, but the city council will approve the bid packet and award the contract from those bids. Also, Roger said that contractors have to meet the state of Illinois requirements for pool construction and meet Burbach’s reference requirements which are a higher burden of proof than even the state of Illinois requires. Price asked Roger if Burbach takes insurance costs into consideration, and Roger said yes we consult with the city’s insurance carrier to see if the pool designs increase insurance liability needs. Collins asked if Burbach comes to public forums to discuss the pool designs and plans. Roger said yes, Burbach asks the city for approval for a public forum and holds a public forum in the community to help provide transparency and get feedback from the community on the plans. Also, Roger wanted to mention that Burbach requires the contractors to warranty the pool construction for two years upon completion of construction rather than a single year, which the state requires. Price asked if Burbach helps enforce the warranty, which Roger said Burbach absolutely helps enforce the warranty. The Committee members thanked Roger for coming and speaking to us about Burbach Aquatics and their methodology to developing pools for communities.
IV. MINUTES
1. December 13th, 2022: A motion was made to approve the minutes as presented: 1st Perez 2nd Price. With all present voting yes in favor and none opposed.
V. ONGOING BUSINESS
1. Draft Community Survey
i. The committee voted to table this item until the next meeting due to the new information present to the committee members about Burbach’s services and the cost associated with those services.
2. Public Forum
i. The committee voted to table this item until the next meeting due to the new information present to the committee members about Burbach’s services and the cost associated with those services.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1. Available Grants
i. Due to the lateness of the Pool Committee’s meeting this evening, the committee members asked to table this review until the next meeting.
VII. DISCUSSION
1. Next Meeting Agenda Items
i. A formal vote on a recommendation to the Centralia City Council to proceed with the Phase I Step II feasibility study from Burbach Aquatics.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
1. A motion was made to adjourn 1st Collins 2nd Martin. With all present voting yes in favor and none opposed.
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/1-_January_10_2023_Minutes.pdf
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