Sometimes a city government does something right. In spite of recent criticism, the Menlo Park-Tim Sheeper arrangement at the Burgess Pools seems to be one of those times.
In February this year, Menlo Park arranged with Mr. Sheeper, a local, long-time swim program manager, to operate its new swimming pools at Burgess Park. Mr. Sheeper is known and highly regarded in the local swimming community for his personal integrity and the swim and triathlon programs he runs. Several years ago, when coaching swimmers at the old Burgess pool, he was named the Pacific region masters swimming coach of the year.
Menlo Park built the new Burgess pools after voters approved the Measure T capital improvement funds several years ago. Then, in early 2005, an estimated budget deficit of $2.9 million made it questionable whether the city could afford to operate the pools when they were completed.
The city staff estimated the pool operation to be a major portion of the total deficit. A survey of Menlo Park residents listed the pool operation as the number one thing to cut.
Some argued that funds to cover the deficit in pool operations should be taken out of reserves. Raising taxes was discussed. Not opening one or more of the pools or delaying the opening of all the pools was considered. If there was a consensus solution, it wasn’t found during this discussion.
Then, in January 2006, Mr. Sheeper made an offer to run the Burgess pools at no cost to the city. The city staff made several estimates of the annual savings that Mr. Sheeper was providing, the lowest being $415,000. The offer seems to fit into that often claimed but seldom-achieved category of a win-win solution — a high-quality result with a cost savings at the same time.
There has been criticism of the City Council for not knowing the exact amount of the savings that Mr. Sheeper was providing. One council member argued that the city should hire pool employees so it could measure the costs more exactly.
There has been criticism of the City Council for rushing to a decision. At the time of Mr. Sheeper’s offer, the scheduled completion of the Burgess pools was May 2006, four months away. The equipment warranties started in May whether the pools were operating or not and no amount of discussion could delay the summer swim season.
This didn’t leave much time for the city to make a decision. However, deadlines can be a wonderful thing. After several city meetings and a use permit, the Sheeper offer was finalized in April.
We should commend our city government for engaging the highly regarded Tim Sheeper, saving us an estimated $415,000 even if we do not know the exact amount, and making a decision in a timely manner.
Dave Gildea is a member of the Stanford masters swimming program and has been a competitive and exercise swimmer in the area for 40 years. He lives on Hermosa Way in Menlo Park.
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