Finance & Personnel Committee Meeting: North Side Pool Funding (April 9, 2026)
Finance & Personnel Committee Meeting: North Side Pool Funding (April 9, 2026)
The Finance & Personnel Committee met on April 9, 2026, to consider Resolution 26-0391, which would appropriate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) interest funds to open and operate the North Side Pool for the 2026 season. The meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m. and adjourned at 6:42 p.m. The committee voted unanimously to refer the resolution to the regular Common Council meeting later that same day with no recommendation.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jerry Swim (733 Powell Street, near Red Cloud Park) spoke in strong support of the resolution. He stated he was representing the entire city, especially the north side, and expressed 100% support for the pool. He noted that the chambers would be jam-packed with people who care about the pool, and that the pool is a safe place for children and residents. He acknowledged the tight budget but thanked the council for working on the pool and other agenda items.
Discussion Items
- The committee considered Resolution 26-0391, which appropriates ARPA interest funds for the opening and operation of the North Side Pool located at 1816 Sill Street for the 2026 season. (The minutes list the address as 816 Sill Street; the transcript lists 1816 Sill Street. The agenda and minutes indicate the pool is at 816 Sill Street; the transcript appears to contain a typo.) The resolution was noted to have been short-circuited by Mayor Shondell Washington's veto on April 8, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Motion: Councilmember Janssen moved to refer the resolution to the regular Common Council meeting on April 9, 2026, with no recommendation. Councilmember Sleznikow seconded. The motion carried unanimously (6–0).
- The committee took no further action and adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Is there anyone signed up to speak? Can I have a uh a unanimous consent to open up public discussion? So we will open up uh public hearing. Oh agenda items. Sorry, I'm a little out of sync. So the agenda item is 26-0391 resolution appropriating American Rescue Plan Act ARPA interest funds for the opening and operating of the North Side Pool located at 1816 Sill Street for the 2026 season. This was short circuited by Mayor Shondell Washington's Bivey on April 8th, 2026. And we have a speaker, and could you announce your um your name and where you live? Could you please turn on the speaker at the podium? Uh we have an assistant coming. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um Jerry Swim and uh 733 Powell Street up near Red Cloud Park. And I am here. Um I'm represent legal-wise or whatever, but I can tell you that I'm representing everybody in this city, and also on the north side, that uh we are in one hundred percent support. This chambers would be jam-packed with people who care about that pool. And uh so I'm representing those people who for whatever reason can't make it here, but again, this place would be jammed. And I just want to uh thank every all the council members for uh accepting or working on this pool and other uh agenda items, but especially the pool. And there are so many it's uh a great place, safe place for children, kids, and uh residents to go to to enjoy themselves uh community-wide. And we've had with the closing uh the closing of the library, uh there's just um too many things that are happening, especially on the north side for uh making the area uh less safe for where uh people can get together and just enjoy themselves. But uh again, this this uh co this chambers would be jammed with people, so I really appreciate you taking this. I know budget, the budget is so tight, and be able to uh have the pool open. People will be so happy. Everybody that I do talk to about the pool, they're all disheartened and the answer or the uh vote for if this gets approved, they will uh be something to look forward to this summer. So I really appreciate your time in this matter to let me speak. I don't know if I was in should have been here or not speaking without a turn, but I appreciate your time. Thank you so much. Anyone have any questions for me? Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak with that? Can I get unanimous to consent to close open to open meeting? Public hearing. The public hearing is closed. Thank you. Thank you. Motion to move forward with no recommendation by Councilmember Jansen, seconded by Councilmember Sleesnico. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, I'll call the vote. And that motion passes unanimously, and with that I'll end the um finance and personnel meeting.
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