What is happening with the Como Pool project?
Capital Improvement Bonds
Funding for the Como Park Pool was not a priority within the 2009 Capital Improvement Bond (CIB) recommendations. The link below to a 3 page PDF shows the “Como Pool Replacement” falling just below the red cutoff line on page 2. http://mn-stpaul.civicplus.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=9229
Budget Review Committee
At the Budget Review Committee meeting held Aug 26, City Council President, Kathy Lantry, requested clarification about the $1 million “Como Aquatics – Phase 1” line item in the proposed City of Saint Paul Budget. You can watch the 4 minute discussion on video via the Budget Review Committee web page.
The video is 1 hour 40 minutes. If you use the link below and click on number 5 (last one) it skips ahead and the discussion about the Como Pool item starts at 1:25:43
Margaret Kelly, Director of the Office of Financial Services was the person who answered most questions about the budget.
Apparently, the $1 million is for bathrooms and changing facilities to support both the future pool and to support McMurry field activities. $640K comes from Parks Fund Balance and $360K comes from ISP Interest. The remaining $4 million funding will be requested in the 2012 and 2013 CIB budget requests.
Kathy Lantry also pushed for public meetings allowing public input on hot issues “the sooner the better“.