Home » Government » City Council approves funding for community pool rehab at October 12 meeting

City Council approves funding for community pool rehab at October 12 meeting

The Globe Community Center Pool is set to reopen in May after City Council approves funding. Photo by LCGross

Council opened the meeting by recognizing promotions for Police Commander Charles Haines, Police Lieutenant Steve Williams, Police Detective Sergeant Ivan Kaminsky, and Police Officer Andres Arreola. Council also made the formal declaration of October 17 to 23, 2021, as Arizona Cities and Towns Week.

Community swimming pool funding approved, set to open in May

With Councilman Mike Pastor saying “we’re going to go all out,” Council approved a contract to rehabilitate the Globe Community Swimming Pool, including zero entry, a splash pad, and a bulkhead, starting blocks, and heater for swim meets.

This vote allows the engineering firm to finalize the design and schedule the construction. City Manager Paul Jepson said the rehab should be complete by May 15, 2022.

The base contract with Structural Preservations Systems LLC is in the amount of $1,280,597.

In a lengthy discussion, Council reviewed the history of the swimming pool project and discussed the scope of the project. At issue was whether to approve funding of an additional $518,959 for zero entry and the splash pad—which would replace the kiddy pool—and $557,753 for the bulkhead, heater, and starting blocks.

“I’m very appreciative of the partners out there helping us get through the finish line. … I just want to say thank you. There’s not enough gratitude at this point to show our appreciation, and I just truly hope this turns out to be an absolute blessing to this community.” Councilman Freddy Rios

Mayor Gameros pointed out the purchase of the bulkhead would allow the pool to host swim meets, which will bring tourism to the City. Economic and Community Development Director Linda Oddonetto said about 80 to 100 kids are expected to participate in swim next year. This year, the number had to be limited to 15.

The City of Globe has a combination of funding currently available and pending, sufficient to fund the Base Pool Rehabilitation project,” according to notes attached to the Council minutes. The City is still gathering funding to purchase the splash pad and zero-entry but needed to go ahead and make the decision about whether to purchase them so they can be included in the design.

City Manager Paul Jepson assured Council that if they chose to vote for the splash pad and zero entry, funding would be found for them. The City already has $100,000 committed on the splash pad, and the Economic and Community Development Department is continuing to meet with local partners and seeking grants to obtain additional funding.

Council decided also to approve the swim package at this time in order to lock in the price. The base cost of the pool rehabilitation increased by $200,597 since the original bid that the City received in April. This increase resulted from a worldwide shortage of stainless steel, needed for the gutter system. The price of stainless steel has doubled in the past year.

Motions approved

Council voted to approve a request for a permit for a marijuana dispensary establishment at 2250 E. Highway 60, Suite M. The discussion of this item is not covered in this summary because the YouTube recording for this meeting does not include it.

Council also approved motions for the following:

  • Accounts payable in the amount of $282,115.52
  • An awning update at the United Jewelers building
  • Facilities use agreements between the City of Globe Fire Department and Active Adult Center with Eastern Arizona College
  • An Arizona Department of Public Safety GIITEM IGA with the Globe Police Department
  • A change order to a contract with EPS Group in the amount of $26,845 for the Upper Pinal Creek Bridge/Road Design project
  • Spending $50,000 to have Accelerated Construction and Excavating make emergency repairs to the culvert at 6th Street. The repairs were necessary due to damage during the monsoons. Council also approved a change order to an existing contract with the same company to spend $15,310.09 for additional repairs to that same culvert.
  • Spending $19,029.05 for costs of the Municipal Firefighters Cancer Reimbursement Fund Assessment for FY2022

With regard to a motion to change the name of the Globe Preservation Advisory Commission to Historic Preservation Advisory Commission, Council decided to move the discussion to the next meeting.

Council also moved the discussion about a state opioid settlement to a later meeting. The City will need to decide whether to join a class-action suit, the One Arizona Opioid Settlement MOU, which seeks settlements with Distributors and J&J Settlements in regard to opioid marketing. Arizona counties, cities, and towns have the option of participating in the suit or not. According to Council’s agenda notes, if these settlements are finalized, Arizona will receive up to $549 million. Proceeds would be used for opioid treatment, prevention, and education.

 

Click to view documents related to this meeting on the City of Globe website.

Members of the Globe City Council: Mayor Al Gameros, Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton, and Council members Freddy Rios, Mike Pastor, Jesse Leetham, Fernando Shipley, and Mariano Gonzalez. Councilman Shipley was absent at this meeting. All other members were in attendance.

Full minutes can be found by going to the City Hall website and clicking on Agendas/Minutes in the bottom left-hand corner.

The Globe City Council meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meetings are currently open to the public at 50% capacity. Members of the public are requested to wear a mask except when seated. Seating is limited to allow for social distancing.

Members of the public can also participate in City of Globe public meetings by viewing the meeting live on YouTube. To view the Council meeting live stream, go to the City of Globe’s YouTube channel (search for City of Globe Arizona). Or click on the “Live Stream on YouTube” link at the top of www.globeaz.gov.

To speak to agenda items before or during the meeting, you can call or text (928) 200-0154 or send an email to council@globeaz.gov. If you desire to speak to the Council during an agenda item.

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