Council Keeps Swim Center Afloat, TV Station on Air

The Pinole City Council agreed on Tuesday night to fund the Pinole Swim Center for the coming summer season, without specifying where to make corresponding budget cuts elsewhere.

The council also rejected any proposed mid-year staffing cuts at Pinole TV, which operates two stations that broadcast government meetings and community events.

The pool had faced closure in the May-to-August season, despite fundraising efforts by volunteers who organized last September.

City staff has projected a current $33,500 budget shortfall for the swim season.

The pool and TV station had been receiving general fund revenues through the city recreation department until, as part of mid-year adjustments to the 2011-12 fiscal year budget, a council majority directed that all recreation department activities become enterprise funds. That meant that they must pay for themselves by collecting revenue independently. The city has provided some funding in the presumed transition period this year, but there are still holes in the budget for the pool and the TV station.

Councilman Phil Green argued that the city has enough money for both if it would just spend it differently.

"It just seems to me we don't have a plan," Green said. "I'm really sick and tired of hearing about an enterprise fund."

Councilwoman Debbie Long said that city staff should look at possible cost savings, such as changing city phone service, by ensuring that all local businesses are paying required license fees and looking at city water use.

"I think there's monies that we haven't talked about in its entirety yet," Long said.

Both Green and Long voted last year not to approve the current fiscal year budget. They along, with Mayor Pete Murray, voted to increase the pool funding on Tuesday. Councilmembers Roy Swearingen and Tim Banuelos voted against it.

Before casting the vote on the pool, the council heard Pinole Chamber of Commerce President Ivette Ricco outline a separate plan to cut operation costs at the pool. Rico claimed that her plan would leave only a $3,000 shortfall, compared to the $33,500 gap presented by city staff.

Ricco said that a badly need cover for the swimming pool could be purchased for less than the city's estimate of $10,000. It also could save energy costs, she said.

After speaking at length about the value of the pool as a resource, Swearingen said he would vote to continue funding the pool if the gap is only $3,000, but he said "I still want to see where the money's going to come from, and when someone shows me that I'm good with it. I will not see it closed for $3,000."

Ultimately though, Swearingen and Councilman Tim Banuelos voted against the extra funding for the swim center.

"I don't care what anyone says, we are understaffed," Sweringen said. "I want to keep theese resources going, but I want to see where the money's going to come from. City councils will lean toward emotions every time. We're putting ourselves in jeopardy of this city not being able to pay its bills. We're down to the nub right now."

Banuelos had suggested borrowing money on a short-term basis to fund the swim center for the summer to give volunteers a chance to rev up the fundraising drive.

"You're just now getting momentum," Banuelos said to a gathering of pool supporters at the meeting.

Pinole Finance Director Richard Loomis said city staff had yet to discuss Rico's budget numbers in detail, but it wouldn't address the swim center's budget into the 2013 season.

"The swim center isn't just a two month season," Loomis told the council.  "We're not looking at a $3,000 shortfall, and I think it's wrong to look at it in that context."

Another unexpected cost for the pool is the need for lifts at the two swimming pools to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The lifts, estimated to cost $10,000, are required before the pool can open. The city can apply for a temporary exemption.

Pinole TV

The TV station faced a larger deficit than the pool, at $47,000, through June. Still, councilmembers unanimously opposed any staff cuts. They cited the station as a vital link to the public that gives residents a window through which to watch local government.

"We need to have a TV station to keep an eye on us," Green said.

The station currently has two employees and some part-time help.

"Getting rid of someone would be pretty much decimate it," Banuelos said.

Long said the station is important for good government.

"The Cable TV needs to stay intact the way it is," Long said. "If nothing else, it validates us it gives us credibility and accountability."

Earlier, Ricco had proposed that she is willing to help market the station to local businesses that are prospective buyers of advertisting.

In aproving the funding levels for both the pool and Pinole TV, council members rejected offsetting them with cuts in the police, fire, public works and administration departments.

In that context, city staff are expected to come back with proposals for that at a subsequent meeting.

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