REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Update on the George F. Haines International Swim Center (ISC)
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets
BACKGROUND
On January 18, 2024, after receiving a report on conditions at the ISC that presented substantial risks to public health and safety, the City Manager directed that the ISC be closed immediately. Since that time, staff has provided regular updates to the City Council on the status of reports from regulatory agencies and the feasibility of re-opening the ISC.
The purpose of this item is to provide the City Council with a status update on actions taken since the last update on April 23, 2024.
DISCUSSION
In the April 23, 2024 Report to Council (RTC 24-336), information was provided to the City Council regarding the corrective actions being required by the County Department of Environmental Health and the City’s Building Official to re-open the ISC. In that report, it was noted that the estimated cost to temporarily re-open the ISC with a maximum occupancy of 200 would be approximately $1.9 million. Also in that report, it was noted that staff was continuing to work with its consultant team to explore other options including temporary and permanent solutions. This work continues and staff has met with the three swim organizations that have historically used the ISC to engagement them in the process and receive feedback. We are planning for next month’s update (June 2024) to include details on the temporary aquatic facility and permanent replacement options.
Two developments have occurred subsequent to the April 23rd meeting that will impact that schedule for a possible temporary re-opening of the ISC.
The first development is a letter the City received on May 13, 2024 from the Santa Clara County Department of Environment Health (“County”) indicating that they would be conducting evaluations of all pools throughout the County to ensure enclosures are sufficient to prevent accidental access. (Attachment #1). In speaking with County staff, City staff was advised that all pools in the County would be assessed due to the critical nature of potential dangers; but that specific timelines would be determined by the individual inspectors. City staff was also advised that corrective action would be required should deficiencies in the enclosures be identified. If not corrected in the allotted time, the County would proceed to close down facilities.
On May 20, 2024, the County conducted its evaluation of the Mary Gomez pool. While deficiencies were noted, the City has been given 30 days to correct the deficiencies. Staff has reviewed the work required and has determined that the work can be completed within the required timeframe at a cost in the range of $3,000 to 4,000. Staff has been directed to proceed with those corrective actions.
Because the inspections are intended to be “unannounced inspections”, the City does not have a timeline for when the remaining City pools will be inspected. However, given the speed at which the initial inspection was conducted, it is anticipated that the additional inspections will be in the coming weeks.
Based on the comments made during the inspection of the Mary Gomez pool, staff has proceeded to evaluate the other pool sites and to develop corrective action plans in advance of the expected inspections. Until those inspections are completed, however, the cost associated with those corrective actions is unknown. Moreover, because the inspections are “unannounced”, the City does not know when the remaining pools will be evaluated. With summer swim programs scheduled to start in early June and the ongoing closure of the ISC, it is essential that the City’s other pools remain in compliance to avoid additional negative impact to both the City’s, and the swim clubs’, programming.
The second development is the completion of preliminary, high-level options for temporary and permanent solutions and a desire to obtain feedback from the three swim groups (Santa Clara Swim Club, Santa Clara Artistic Swimming and the Santa Clara Dive Club) prior to proceeding with the finalization of cost estimates.
On May 9, the City Manager and Assistant City Manager met with the swim groups to seek their input on the potential options. Based on those discussions, the parties have agreed to drop the acquisition of a temporary, modular pool from consideration due to cost and use requirements. Subsequent to the stakeholder meeting, staff proceeded to work with the consultant team to finalize cost estimates including a phased-in approach for development of a permanent solution. While this work has been completed, there has been a recent change to the consultant team which will delay presentation of the cost estimates. As noted above, we aim for next month’s update (June 2024) to include details on the temporary aquatic facility and permanent replacement options.
For the reasons noted above and to ensure the City Council can make informed decisions, the presentation of options will be heard at the June 25th Council meeting.
ISC Remediation Efforts
Per the City Council’s direction, staff has continued to work on remediation efforts at the ISC. In addition to addressing minor deficiencies that were noted, the work to remediate the canopy is expected to be completed shortly after the Memorial Day weekend. Once complete, staff will arrange to have the work re-inspected. If the inspection is successful, both the north and south restrooms will be available for use. It is important to note that these restrooms can be accessed from the park side of the facility and will not require access to the pool areas which will remain closed. However, re-opening of the restrooms will allow for the removal of the porta-potties that were brought in to support park users.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
This report does not have any fiscal impact as Council direction is not being requested at this time.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Note and file the report.
Staff
Reviewed by: Cynthia Bojorquez, Assistant City Manager/Acting Director of Parks & Recreation
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Letter from the Department of Environmental Health Dated May 2, 2024