Correspondence - Updated 2/16 — Alameda City Council, February 15, 2022

From: Karen Kokame
To: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] ASPA Pools
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 7:56:26 PM
I’m writing to you to stress the importance of keeping the oils with ASPA. The pools have been a godsend during these pandemic times for seniors and families. Mental health is so important and these pools offer community in a safe environment. Being right in the middle of parks make it logical to keep them as is. With our current certification process for life guarding, there have been no incidents. However, if American Red Cross lifeguards on deck is what it takes to keep the pools run by ASPA, I’d accept that along with the higher member cost.

There can and should be options for Alameda residents that want to swim from city run pools (Emma Hood) to the ASPA pools to private clubs like Mariner Square and Harbor Bay Club.

Don’t take this option away from Alameda residents when it has run so well for many decades and gives so much to the community, including swim lessons during the summer and senior swim.

Regards,
Karen Kokame
Alameda resident for 32 years
From: Beth Leonardo
To: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] re: Lincoln & Franklin pool
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 6:17:05 PM
Dear City Clerk and Alameda City Council,
I am writing about tonight's City Council Meeting Agenda Item 7-D: Recommendation to Provide Direction on the Operation and Management of the Franklin Park and Lincoln Park Pools. (Recreation 10051400).

I have been an Alameda resident for 13 years, and we have 2 elementary aged children. When my children were young, I was surprised that Alameda's pools, located in our Alameda public parks, were membership based and only allowed exclusive access to members.

I was willing and able to pay the membership fee, but discovered I was unable to get a membership because it was limited to a select number of families and there is always a waiting list of people wanting to be members.

Many people can't afford this annual membership fee, and having a "membership" based structure further limits the possibility for most to participate at all in the pools.

This structure is inequitable and exclusionary. Apparently "everybody" doesn't belong at the pools. (Aren't we living in Alameda, California in 2022?) It's interesting that when we are at our Alameda public parks, we can all see that these pools basically sit there mostly empty for most hours of the day, while only a select few hold the key.

These pools should be public, like many of the pools in surrounding cities, and I am in support of the pools being taken over by ARPD to provide consistent maintenance, safety/lifeguards, and full public programming to support EVERYBODY in Alameda.

Thank you for your consideration,
Beth
Beth Leonardo
Alameda Resident
From: Kathryn Boyle
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; John Knox White; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; Trish Spencer Cc: Lara Weisiger; Eric Levitt; Amy Wooldridge
Subject: [EXTERNAL] City Council Meeting—February 15, 2022—Agenda Items 7-C & 7-D.

Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 5:42:47 PM
Dear Mayor Ashcraft and Members of the City Council,
I am writing in reference to two pool related items on the agenda February 15, items 7-C and 7-D.

I am an avid swimmer and member of ASPA and a parent of a competitive swimmer whose entire swim career was supported by Alameda pools, including KinderSwim at the Alameda Swimming Pool Association (ASPA), swim lessons at Alameda Recreationand Park Department (ARPD), and as a member of the Alameda Gators and Encinal Jets swim teams. I know firsthand the mental, physical, academic, and social benefits of swimming.

I also know firsthand the impact that Alameda’s limited and inadequate pool space has on meeting the demand. Emma Hood is at risk of being shut down by the county. Aquatics programs, both public and private, must turn swimmers away. Practices must constantly flex or be missed due to impacted pools. We are limited in the meets we can hold for our High School and club teams.

Alameda is sorely in need of a new pool facilities. The current pools in Alameda are insufficient to meet the demands of the community and are not worthy of a community of our caliber or tax base. The time has come to develop a comprehensive strategy to bring sufficient and reliable aquatics facilities to our community.

Please address the pool situation with an eye toward expanding capacity to the greatest degree possible, ideally maintaining/improving the current facilities, and adding additional facilities to accommodate the current need and the expanding residential growth of the city.

Emma Hood is in imminent danger of being shut down by the county. I encourage the council to work with Alameda Unified School Distric tto make sure that Emma Hood is replaced with a facility that meets the needs of the school aquatics programs and community programs when not in use by the district. I attended all of the workshops that led to the design of the pool renderings attached to this agenda item and I think that option is a good one, but not if Emma Hood has to be closed while funding is gathered for such an expensive project.

I would also like the city to consider an additional swim facility in a new location in Alameda, ideally to be incorporated in a larger recreation center that can serve multiple community health, fitness, and community gathering needs.

As the parent of a non-binary child, I urge you to provide gender neutral locker and restroom facilities, and in fact to please make some effort to address this need in the existing facilities.

Regarding lease options for ASPA, I think some of the recommendations are very valid. I understand that ASPA and the City have been discussing and negotiating to resolve some of the points of concern. I am hopeful that they can continue to find a way to meet in the middle and not simply maintain the status quo but also not to make such drastic changes that those of us who rely on these pools are excluded.

I would like to provide my views on the items raised in the agenda item:

Requiring Appropriately Trained Lifeguards on Deck:

The Red Cross certification seems to be overkill for a pool with a depth of 6 feet. Perhaps an enhanced training and recertification process for keyholders would be appropriate, with a posted sign that says “no lifeguard on duty”, a signed waiver from each swimmer, including acknowledgement of the understanding and adherence of rules, etc. would maintain enough of the status quo and yet address concerns for enhanced keyholder accountability. If guards on deck are required, fees will surely go up, which is counter the further point of increasing accessibility.

As a point of clarification, the agenda item states that ASPA “has not expressed interest in having the City provide that [Red Cross] training and ongoing certification at no cost”. My understanding is that ASPA board members have been working toward negotiating with the City to help train and certify the many members who would otherwise have to do it at their own expense of $300 per member. I hope, if this requirement remains, that the City will continue to negotiate with the ASPA board to support.

Public Access and Equity:

I wholeheartedly agree that equity, diversity, and inclusion are major concerns in the aquatic community, and I would say that is true throughout the country and is something we need to solve for together. I am unclear, however, what the standards of access and equity are, and why ASPA would be held to a standard of inclusion that I am not sure Alameda’s ARPD pools have met.

If access is related to availability and affordability, looking at ARPD’s summer activity guide, I see no recreational or lap swim times listed. I do see a number of new programs encouraging inclusion in aquatic sports, but all are quite expensive (example Intro to Swim: 5 classes of

1.5-hours each for $250). Looking at the ARPD website, I see that very limited lap swim times are available and that you need to pre-register and family/rec swim is available for $50 per hour (though it is unclear when those time are available.) If I were to use ARPD for my lap swimming and recreational swimming, I would be paying considerably more than I am with ASPA. ASPA fees of roughly $450 per year includes lessons and access to the pool every day throughout the summer and year-round access for keyholders. Payment plans are available (though admittedly not well advertised).

ASPA provides free KinderSwim and Senior swim on a reliable basis.

Alameda Gators is more affordable than most other swim teams in the area and offers scholarships for those in need.

ASPA has indicated a willingness to reach out to and support swimming for low income and underserved communities, included swim lessons and access for programs such as the Boys and Girls Club and Alameda Point Collaborative residents.

ASPA’s membership base allows for the operations and maintenance of the pool. Going to a per use model may increase accessibility (though I am not actually certain it would), though the risk is that to reach a break-even point, the per use fee may need to be high. For me with ASPA, the cost for just lap swimming is around $2.50 per swim. A scan of pools in neighboring communities show that fees on a per swim basis are in the $5 – 10 per swim range. I think it would be very difficult for an independent operator or the City to provide the level of service that ASPA has been able to provide by charging on a per swim basis without the fees being inaccessible for many.

Please encourage the City to help support the swim community to determine benchmarks for diversity and inclusion and models for access across all pools.

Sincerely,
Kathryn Boyle
ASPA Member
Alameda Resident
From: Suzy Clement
To: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public comment on Franklin and Lincoln Park pools Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 5:31:18 PM
I hope the Council will consider making changes to the way the Franklin and Lincoln Park pools are utilized/managed. It is a clear equity issue when the annual fee is an exorbitant $415, and exclusionary to many working parents who may not be able to commit to the volunteer requirement. And even with all this, even for member of the association the hours available for simple family swim are incredibly limited.

I have lived in Alameda for 20 years, and we were members of ASPA for a couple of years when our two children were young. We grumbled about cutting corners elsewhere in order to pay for it, and honestly felt a little icky about the whole thing, knowing that many other families were not as privileged as us. It was an uncomfortable feeling to be splashing away and see other families on the outside of the fence, wandering over and wondering why they couldn't come swim as well. But, perhaps selfishly, we bought into it for a brief time because there were no other convenient options to get our kids swimming, and my son in particular (who is autistic) greatly benefitted. But when both kids developed medical issues, we could no longer afford it. For many years we have longed for an affordable, accessible family swim option in Alameda for our family, particularly for our son.

Please consider ways to broaden the access to these pools for the larger community. It is not right that a private association with exclusionary practices is operating on public land, especially with regards to swimming pools, which have potential to be such joyful community- building spaces.

Thank you,
Suzanne Clement
From: Erica Hartono Kolodny
To: City Clerk
Cc: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; Trish Spencer; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; John Knox White; Lara Weisiger Subject: [EXTERNAL] Item 7-D: Franklin and Lincoln pools - Please consider a collaboration with ARPD Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 5:09:02 PM
Hi,
I am writing to ask that you consider a restructuring of how the pools at Lincoln and Franklin parks are operated. The current model is inequitable, exclusionary and difficult to navigate.

Intentions aside, it also increases the practice of resource hoarding. These two facilities should be easily accessible to all Alameda residents.

I would like to see the pools move to a system similar to the Robert's Park pool in the Oakland hills. I grew up near Robert's Park, and it was a wonderful asset to have public pool infrastructure in my neighborhood. Please consider working in partnership with ARPD to see how public access to these two pools could be increases.

Thank you,
Erica Hartono
From: Amy Wooldridge
To: Lara Weisiger
Subject: Fwd: [EXTERNAL] ASPA
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 1:56:01 PM
Amy Wooldridge
Recreation and Parks Director
City of Alameda
(510) 747-7570
[email protected]
www.alamedaca.gov/recreation
Begin forwarded message:

From: hayward teacher <[email protected]>
Date: February 15, 2022 at 1:49:26 PM PST
To: Amy Wooldridge <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] ASPA

There are no words
That can accurately describe the feeling
During a year of an ongoing pandemic
During a two week period when I lost my mother from afar With no visit nor funeral
Followed by the loss of my beloved Labrador retriever
The feeling of walking to the pool when I was ready
With no plan or appointment
To be greeted by friends
The feeling of immersing myself into the water
To leisurely glide in the healing water
And cry
This is what the ASPA and Lincoln Pool means to me
Debra j Sarver
Low income senior and Latinx
Sent from my iPad
From: Kristan LaVietes
To: City Clerk
Cc: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; John Knox White; Trish Spencer; Manager Manager Subject: [EXTERNAL] Comment about Tonight"s Mtg.: Recommendation to Provide Direction on the Operation and Management of the Franklin Park and Lincoln Park Pools
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 1:55:43 PM
Dear Council,
I urge you to not continue negotiating with ASPA and to instead direct ARPD to explore alternatives for management of the pools in Lincoln and Franklin Parks.

The membership-model management of these pools is 100% wrong. Under ASPA in any form, these are private, exclusive pools in our public parks. While these pools have been treasured by a handful of Alameda families over the years, the time has come to start a new chapter.

It is my firsthand observation as a former ASPA member that ASPA is not open to entertaining requests to consider changes from within its own membership, and I have no confidence ASPA will be accountable to the City to increase accessibility or safety.

There is no compromise here that somehow serves all parties. ASPA is not entitled to continue operating exclusive, private pools--under its own rules--inside of our parks.

Thank you.
--
Kristan LaVietes (she/her)
310/430.2568
[email protected]
From: John Zenner
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; John Knox White; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; Trish Spencer; Lara Weisiger; Eric Levitt; Amy Wooldridge
Subject: [EXTERNAL] City Council Meeting February 15, 2022 Agenda Item 7.D - Franklin and Lincoln Pools Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 1:38:50 PM
Madam Mayor and the honorable City Council Members of Alameda My name is John Zenner and I'm a newcomer to Alameda, I've only been here for 25 years and I'm going to ask you to "think big" again when it comes to Franklin and Lincoln Pools. Do the right thing by simply not fixing what isn't broken. Somehow over the 60 plus year history of Franklin and Lincoln pools, ASPA has managed to survive and serve its members in an exemplary fashion without the overbearing "support" from the City of Alameda. During this tenure, thousands of children have learned to swim for free, thousands of teenagers have enjoyed becoming competitive swimmers, thousands of adults have had access to the free senior swim program, and many more thousands of adults have relied upon our access to these pools not only for our day-to-day health, but also as a key connection point within our community.

I have read the City Report on the pools in its entirety and take issue with many of the points made out to be issues.

Quickly addressing a few of these:

Requiring appropriately trained lifeguards:

ASPA represents a community of neighbors who all know each other, have swam together for years, and are concerned for each other's health and wellbeing. Around 2010 I was swimming with my 80+ year old 3 times a week lap swimming buddy at our regular 6am time. Richard was getting older, so I always made sure to hang out in the dressing room until he was ready to leave. One morning as Richard stepped out of the shower, he had a very startled look on his face and clearly was not well. I asked him to sit down and tell me why I should not immediately call 911. He said he could not tell me that, so I called 911 and paramedics were onsite in less than 5 minutes.

Richard had in fact had a heart attack in the shower. While I'm happy Richard had maintained consciousness and not needed CPR, I am 100% confident that I could have called 911 and then begun CPR safely. Richard would have died right there that morning had we only had a "professional lifeguard" on duty. What teenage kid is going to barge into the dressing room to check on someone taking extra time? If they even noticed that someone was in there to begin with.

All "keyholders" do go through a lifeguard training course through ASPA and maintain our own certification for CPR which we take seriously. Can there be improvements made to that system, I'm sure there can. For the city to call out inappropriate ASPA lifeguard behavior of "chatting together, on cell phones and otherwise not lifeguarding" might have more impact if the City's own lifeguards at the other city pools performed differently. These are teenage kids.

Public Access & Equity:

ASPA run pools have the all the details related to joining the pools clearly printed and available at the gates of both pools. Anyone living in Alameda can join. Free access to teach swimming to all children in Alameda was the original charter of the pools, that has been expanded to include free access for seniors. Members pay a yearly fee instead of a per session fee, which allows ASPA to carefully budget in advance, clearly something not important to the city. The city DOES charge access to lap swim for anyone showing up at lap time...if they can decipher the city website adequately to determine when the constantly changing lap swim times are. The city DOES NOT publish any information on paper posted at the pools to relay this same information to a significant population of swimmers who would prefer to have this on paper.

Capital Improvements:

While I don't have access to all the details of down times for Franklin and Lincoln pools compared to City run pools over the years, I have been lap swimming for 25 years, and my kids have been using City pools for much of the same period, and I know for sure they were inconvenienced by downtime at EHS & Emma Hood much more than I.

Think big. Be part of the solution you seek, but please don't solve non-existent problems.

Sincerely,
John Zenner
From: Ginny Parsons
To: City Clerk; CityCouncil-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] I support renewing the lease for the Alameda Swimming Pool Association Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 1:06:47 PM
I have been a member for 21 years, swimming regularly at Lincoln Pool. I rely on the pool for community, exercise, and most importantly, mental health.

Over the years, I have seen the ASPA co-op model work very well: Pat and Diana Foster volunteered and oversaw life guards for many years, John Jacobs does maintenance and keeps the place looking good, Bill Paden is constantly on hand to monitor and handle technical issues, Donna Murray continues to train guards and run the key class, Janey and Christine pitched in and built a safe coronavirus system. It's a wonderful place where everyone pitches in and it works. Please renew the lease so this system can continue.

I also fully support the creation of an Aquatic Center and will help with fundraising.

I know we need access for more people to swim. I do not want to exclude, but the ASPA membership fees are not prohibitively expensive for most people in Alameda. I would be happy to take the Red Cross training course and volunteer my services as a guard. I also fully support allowing people to come in and swim just for a single session.

Let's work together to find a win-win for ASPA, ARPD and everyone who wants to swim in Alameda.

Thank you,
Ginny Parsons
From: Savanna Cheer
To: City Clerk
Cc: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; Trish Spencer; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; John Knox White; Lara Weisiger Subject: [EXTERNAL] Item 7-D: Franklin and Lincoln pools Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 12:32:54 PM
Hello:

I'm writing to support the group letter you've received regarding the lease negotiations with ASPA on management of the Franklin and Lincoln pools. A group of current and former members expressed a thoughtful and sincere desire to see the city reassess the way these pools are managed. There also appears to be some comments submitted by a group of longtime members who "like things just the way they are."
As you consider what action to take on this item this evening it seems like you, as a council, are faced with another example in this recurring theme in Alameda - status quo or change.

You can either: 1) Match the desires of the growing/future population of Alameda while taking steps to undo past harms OR 2) Pander to the small, vocal group of longtime residents who refuse to acknowledge this city's harmful past and prefer to keep things exactly how they were in 1970 or some long-past time.

At its basic level, having a private pool on public lands doesn't seem like the best choice for a city who loves to plaster signage around town saying "everyone belongs here." This fact coupled with the multitude of issues current and former members have raised about ASPA management (no online registration?!? what year is it!?) seems to show that you should not renew any type of lease with ASPA and think bigger and more broadly about an aquatics plan for the city. It is such a gift, as some of the old timers like to point out, to have these two pools inside a park in our city. Why not make these places where anyone can enjoy the space, at any time, without obligation? This seems particularly important as temperatures rise each year and pools become a more necessary tool for survival in our changing climate.

Thank you for considering this approach.

Signed,
Savanna Cheer
From: Mary Matella
To: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 2/15/22 city council meeting agenda item 7d: Operation and Management of the Franklin Park and Lincoln Park Pools
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 12:21:30 PM
Dear Council Members,
I am an ASPA member and my family has been swimming at the pools since 2017. I write to ask you to renew ASPA’s lease of Lincoln and Franklin pools.

The volunteers make the pools work. My son basically learned to swim at Lincoln Pool. His swim lessons, especially during covid times, were invaluable. My family also highly values spending weekend days at the pool and I would estimate we have spent over a 100 hours there just last summer. I also swim laps at every opportunity and feel a strong sense of community at the pools. The pools offer an amazing community resource to Alameda residents, and it might be nice to have additional days of use (for a small fee) open to all members of the public so they could enjoy the pools and learn about options for a longer-term membership. The city could inform a discussion of what options for expanding memberships might be possible, but it would be a great loss to my family and many others if you eliminate our access to drop in swim lessons and our pool community.

Please do not end the ASPA lease, but rather work with the association to help shape a program to make it more accessible.

Sincerely,
Mary Matella
2865 Santa Clara Ave
From: Jessie Seyfer
To: City Clerk; Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; John Knox White; Trish Spencer; Manager Manager Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public comment on City Council Meeting 2/15/22 Agenda Item 7 - D Parks and Recreation Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 12:00:43 PM
Dear Clerk,

I am writing in a public comment on 2/15/22 City Council Agenda Item 7-D, 2022-1688 Recommendation to Provide Direction on the Operation and Management of the Franklin Park and Lincoln Park Pools.

I strongly request that the City Council push for increased public access to the Lincoln and Franklin pools. It is abundantly clear that the Alameda Swimming Pool Association is not managing these pools in a way that is fair and equitable for this community. These pools currently function as segregated spaces on public land because of ASPA’s membership system, which the city has gone along with for decades. Because of the very high cost of joining ASPA, these pools are inaccessible to many people in our community and in neighboring communities who come to our public parks. In a 78,000-person city like Alameda, having 600 families be members of ASPA does not feel like a fair use of public space. These pools do not reflect the "Everyone Belongs Here" value that we as Alamedans purport to hold dear.

Further, the ASPA board has not demonstrated a willingness to shift its practices in order to be more equitable, transparent or open to feedback. These concerns have been voiced for years, yet ASPA has refused to change. ASPA has also not demonstrated that it is a well-run or transparent nonprofit, earning a Failing Score from Charity Navigator
, a trusted evaluator of nonprofits. It is true that ASPA offers free swimming lessons to kindergarteners, but it only offers them at times (3 p.m. on a weekday) that are impossible for many working families to take advantage of.

I realize that if the city took over management of these pools, it would be a costly endeavor.

However, this is a change that simply must take place. This city’s leaders have dealt with thorny budget issues before and can handle finding funding for these pools as well.

Thank you,
Jessie Seyfer
Alameda resident
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2/15/22
Dear

Mayor

Ashcroft

and

Alameda

City

Council

Members:

Alameda

surely

community

that

belongs

everyone.

believe

our

city

leadership

stands

this

often

quoted

motto.

also

believe

that

our

city

leaders

need

all

they

can

ensure

that

not

only

all

residents

feel

welcome

our

beautiful

Island,

but

that

they

have

equal

access

the

wonderful

amenities

our

city

offers.

One

those

amenities

are

public

pools.

years

before,

Black

Americans

and

other

people

color

were

banned

from

using

and

enjoying

public

pools.

don’t

see

“Whites

Only”

any

our

public

accommodations

today.

However,

the

vestiges

unequal

access

are

still

with

us.

When

you

have

pools

that

come

with

high

usage

fees

make

requirements

for

membership

difficult

for

many

families

commit

to,

you

are

basically

enforcing

wall

that

keeps

Alameda

families

outside

the

perks

affluent

families

enjoy.

Please

listen

those

here

our

community

who

want

our

public

pools

available

and

accessible

all

Alamedans.

Please

proudly

hold

our

motto,

“Everyone

Belongs”
Sincerely,
Angie

Watson‐Hajjem

From: Maia Werner-Avidon
To: CityCouncil-List
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Public Comments 2/15/22 City Council Meeting Agenda Item 7-D Parks & Recreation Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 11:22:40 AM
I am writing to include my comments in the public record concerning Agenda Item 7-D 2022- 1688 Recommendations to Provide Direction on the Operation and Management of the Franklin Park and Lincoln Park Pools. (Recreation 10051400).

I urge you to consider two key points in making your decision regarding whether to continue lease negotiations with the Alameda Swimming Pool Association (ASPA) for the Franklin Park and Lincoln Park pools.

1. Equity. These pools are located in our city parks and should be accessible to all members of
our community, not only those who can afford a several hundred dollar up-front membership fee, not only those who can accommodate volunteer shifts in their schedules, and not only those who have a parent at home to take their children to mid-day, mid-week swim lessons.

2. Community Input. The city has made extensive efforts to seek community input on other features of our parks. The ASPA membership represents a small fraction of our city's residents. The same effort as has been made for other projects should be made to determine community need and interest in accessing these pools.

I am excited about the opportunity for a large-scale, community swimming pool, either at the current site of Emma Hood or at another city-owned location. However, this planned community resources won't be accessible for several years. The lease negotiation with ASPA represents an opportunity right now to increase access for all our city's residents.

Maia Werner-Avidon (Alameda resident and former ASPA member) From: Neveen Acero
To: CityCouncil-List; City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public Comments 2/15/22 City Council Meeting Agenda Item 7-D Parks & Recreation Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 10:44:46 AM
Dear Clerk and Council Members,
I am writing to include my comments in the public record concerning Agenda Item 7-D 2022- 1688 Recommendations to Provide
Direction on the Operation and Management of the Franklin Park and Lincoln Park Pools. (Recreation 10051400).

In a previous email, I shared with you a letter submitted to Amy Wooldridge by a number of concerned citizens highlighting the need for transparent, community-driven negotiations between ASPA and The City. As a private entity operating on public land, and in light of the potential closing of one of only two public pools in Alameda, residents have a vested interest in the outcome of negotiations with ASPA.

In a city of 78k people, with few public pool options, accessing a swimming pool is also a matter of equity. Barriers to entry - including an opaque and outdated membership enrollment process, a volunteer requriement, and, of course, the full fee of $400+/family - run counter to the City's stated ethos that "Everyone Belongs Here." Private pools are intrinsically exclusive.

Readers of Heather McGhee's book entitled "The Sum of Us - What Racism Costs Everyone and How
We Can Prosper Together" will note that swimming pools - once a public fixture in thriving American communities - were closed and filled to avoid integration. Private pools popped up, allowing them to remain segregated. There is no evidence to suggest that the ASPA was established with racist intentions, nor that its current practices are racist in any way. And I am not suggesting, implying, or accusing the ASPA of such practices. But given America's history of segregation and our current understanding of the role that private pools played in maintaining segregation, I believe it's time to reassess the role of the ASPA in our community. Especially because they occupy public space.

Lastly, ASPA's model is outdated and unsafe. In 2019, I joined ASPA so that my children could attend while in the care of a local daycare provider who was a member. Enrollment was opaque and analog - no online application or payment options were available. My children went a total of 2 times - costing essentially $100/child/visit. Both times, my daughter came home with a staph infection. That same summer, one of the pools was closed for several days because a child had defecated in the water. Public management would have ensured a safer standard and the cost - if paid as a day fee - would have been significantly lower.

It's time for ASPA's model to be more inclusive, accessible, and equitable. It's time for the City to negotiate openly and with public input about who will operate the Lincoln and Franklin Park pools and who has access to them.

Thank you for your attention and consideration on this matter.

Sincerely,
Neveen Acero, Alameda Resident, former ASPA member
From: Michelle Macarai
To: City Clerk
Cc: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; John Knox White; Trish Spencer; Manager Manager Subject: [EXTERNAL] City Council Meeting 2/15/22 Agenda Item 7D Comment Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 10:36:53 AM
Dear City Clerk and Alameda City Council,
I am writing about tonight's City Council Meeting Agenda Item 7-D: Recommendation to Provide Direction on the Operation and Management of the Franklin Park and Lincoln Park Pools. (Recreation 10051400).

As an Alameda resident and former ASPA member, my hope is that you reconsider the management of the Franklin Park and Lincoln Mark Pools. The way the pools are operated now are problematic and exclusionary:
- Open swim times are extremely limited.
- Communication has not been
transparent or accessible.
- Members are required to volunteer during the summer and one of the shifts they are assigned to are monitoring the little pool where toddlers and children swim, and this shift assignment doesn't require 1st aid certification.
- The keyholder status is a kind of elite membership and it is inequitable. - The pool blacktop is cracked and melted tar has stuck to my children' skin, towels, etc. - The teen lifeguards seem very casual and not consistently aware of pool activity. - Membership is expensive and excludes access for the community.

Please consider collaborating more actively with ASPA so that there is modern, clear communication. Please consider opening the pools to the public for a nominal fee on weekends (Fridays through Sundays) and holiday weeks. Please provide professional grounds maintenance, professional lifeguards, and clearly posted rules and policies. Please enact equity, public care, access, and truly embody "Everyone Belongs Here". We don't need to continue having the pools, which operate on city property, enact institutional racism any longer.

Sincerely,
Michelle Macarai
Alameda resident & parent
From: Katharine Van Dusen
To: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Please Keep ASPA Pools Open
Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 10:31:14 AM
Dear Clerk:

I write to encourage the City to renew its lease with ASPA for the Lincoln and Franklin Pools, without burdensome restrictions. This comment relates to item 7D on tonight’s (2/15) agenda.

My family has been a member of the pools since we moved to Alameda in 2016. The pools are a true community resource—any Alamedan can join. The process is old-fashioned but not complicated—paper applications are available outside the pool for anyone interested in joining, with clear instructions on how to complete the process.

The pools teach kids how to swim: Both of my children (ages 4 and 7) have learned to swim with ASPA. Their program works because it is frequent—in the summer, lessons are offered (drop-in) twice daily. Open swim on the weekends provides an opportunity to practice skills learned during the week. This is in sharp contrast to Alameda’s programs, which sell out in minutes and only provide 30 minutes of swim time per week, with no opportunity to practice outside of lessons. Young Alamedans need to learn how to swim, and ASPA makes it happen.

The pools give kids a chance to play: The pools are a true community rspace. On summer weekends, my children play happily with others in the neighborhood, enjoying leisurely, unstructured pool time that simply isn’t available anywhere else. It also reinforces their swimming skills. The informality—free swim available, without advance registration, for 5 hours on each weekend day—is critical in a world that is otherwise far too structured.

If the City declines to renew the lease or imposes burdens requiring substantial changes, I am worried that my children will no longer have access to frequent, easy-to-access swim lessons and unstructured pool time. Their swimming skills will suffer, and their summers will not be nearly as fun.

Please do not take away this one-of-a-kind resource.

Thanks,
Katharine Van Dusen
From: David Shutt
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; John Knox White; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; Trish Spencer; Lara Weisiger; Eric Levitt; Amy Wooldridge
Subject: [EXTERNAL] City Council Meeting—February 15, 2022—Agenda Item 7-D Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 9:55:00 AM
Dear Council Members: We are writing in support of the ASPA swimming pool at Franklin and Lincoln Parks. We encourage the Council to approve the continued use of these amenities. We and many other Alameda families have greatly enjoyed these amenities and participated and contributed to their programs and upkeep. We sincerely wish to see these pools to be operated in the same or similar manner as in the past.

Thank you.

David and Eve Shutt
927 San Antonio Avenue
Alameda
From: Trish Spencer
To: Lara Weisiger
Subject: Fwd: [EXTERNAL] The ASPA and Lincoln Pool. A Poem.

Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 8:53:31 AM
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: hayward teacher <[email protected]>
Date: Feb 15, 2022 6:28 AM
Subject: [EXTERNAL] The ASPA and Lincoln Pool. A Poem.

To: Malia Vella <[email protected]>,Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft <[email protected]>,Tony Daysog <[email protected]>,Trish Spencer <[email protected]>
Cc:

There are no words
That can accurately describe the feeling
During a year of an ongoing pandemic
During a two week period when I lost m mother from afar With no visit nor funeral
Followed by the loss of my beloved Labrador retriever
The feeling of walking to the pool when I was ready
With no plan or appointment
To be greeted by friends
The feeling of immersing myself into the water
To leisurely glide in the healing water
And cry
This is what the ASPA and Lincoln Pool means to me
Debra j Sarver
Sent from my iPad
From: Morgan Bellinger
To: City Clerk
Cc: John Knox White; Tony Daysog; Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; Malia Vella; Trish Spencer Subject: [EXTERNAL] Council Meeting Item 7D Public Comment - ASPA Lease Renewal Objection Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2022 1:05:46 AM
Members of the Alameda City Council;
I'm writing as a former member of the Alameda Swimming Pool Association to voice my concerns about the city's lease renewal with that same Association.

First, let me be perfectly clear - there are some wonderful people involved in ASPA who truly love swimming, have the best interests of the community at heart, and volunteer countless hours at the pools.

However, I believe there are some massive issues with ASPA - risk and equity - that should disqualify a lease renewal.

1. Risk
Swimming is inherently dangerous, and the structure of ASPA has, in documented cases, introduced unnecessary risk in the operation of the pools that could easily be averted by leasing to a more traditional pool operator, or by having ARPD run the pools. Here are some quotes from the ASPA facebook page so you can make your own evaluation:
- "I went to my scheduled 6AM lap swim session this morning, and the pool was padlocked.

Anyone know what's going on?" - Joshua L [In response] "Joshua didn't specify the pool, but yesterday the electronic lock at Franklin wasn't working, and we had to leave the gate ajar. I assume that someone put the padlock on overnight for security. I would expect that padlock to accept the office key, but I haven't tried it." - James S, September 29, 2020 (emphasis mine) - "This is our first year as members, and between guard no shows and lack of communication (as well as continually observing volunteer guards checking their cell phone or reading a book) it's not exactly encouraging us to renew." - Lindsay B, 2 years ago - "It seems like some people abuse the open gate that kinderswim and alagators provides, and it really is just the honor system." - Melanie S, 5 years ago - "I deeply apologize to tomorrow's morning swimmers about the covers. I swear I did the best I could in the dark by myself. I fought with those suckers for half an hour and finally gave up; they were hopelessly overlapped, and my fellow volunteers did not show, and I couldn't independently fix it. There had been one swimmer, but the lights didn't go out until after he left, or I would have asked for his help. On a related note, if the pool is open till 9:30, why do all of the lights shut off at 8:15??? Is there a way to turn them back on? On another related note, the dark and empty pool and park feels more than a little unfriendly to the lone volunteer at 9:00. On yet another related note, if you don't want to show up for your shift or hire someone to take it over for you, know that you might be leaving someone to close the pool and try and put the covers on by herself, in the dark- and leave the many morning lap swimmers with a poorly covered and cold pool--and that's pretty uncool of you. On yet ANOTHER related note, tonight is the night I decided our family will join a different pool next summer!" - Krissykristan L, October 17, 2018
- "Hi family swimmers and lap swimmers... we've got bungee cords on the Franklin covers to avoid the problems of last year with covers flying up into barbed wire in the wind. Let's please use them this week and as needed. Please remember to check to see if you're the last one of the day, as Franklin small pool was filled with chairs this morning going uncovered. This is a very big deal as the colder months hit. Thanks so much for working together on this and stay cozy!" - Janie M, October 26, 2020
- "FYI no family swim at Franklin tonight. None of the 3 guards have shown up. Who do we report the missed shifts to again?" - Melanie S, September 5, 2019 After years of simply not holding a member meeting as required by the terms of the lease, it seems that ASPA held a meeting recently. Here are some excerpts from draft minutes:
"Communication has been challenging...No shows for guard duty have been a big problem this year. Proposed solution is to increase fine to $100...There are lots of non members who use the pools. Not sure how to address this."
Should the city continue to lease to an organization that, according respectively to the folks quoted above:
- has issues with volunteer life guards checking their cell phone or reading a book while on duty
- admits having left the pool gate ajar for any length of time in a public park - has issues with non-members using the pools
- failed to hold yearly member meetings, a clear violation of their first lease - fails to maintain pool equipment
- requires single volunteers to cover the pools, a particularly dangerous activity (imagine slipping and being trapped under a pool cover)

2. Equity
ASPA members are required to pay a yearly fee up front for membership. This fee has exceeded $400 for years. Some correspondence thus far received by Council has favorably compared this fee to ARPD class and swim fees, which are per-use, based on analysis of the relative cheapness of the $400 fee if the pool is used frequently.

I believe that this fee structure is a barrier to participation that is especially difficult for people of color to overcome. The Federal Reserve publishes a regular survey that assesses the ability of households to pay a $400 emergency expense, and breaks down the results by race. In 2020, 72% of white adult respondents would cover a $400 emergency expense using cash or its equivalent. Only 47% of Hispanic and 45% of Black adult respondents would do the same.

ASPA membership (mailed check required!) is certainly not an 'emergency expense' but this survey gives us a good approximation of the disproportionate racial implications of an up- front lump sum requirement.

The response, again in correspondence already received, is traditionally that the free kindergarten classes balance out any unfairness to families who cannot afford a one-time membership payment. Let's dive in to some private facebook group comments about the kindergarten classes:
- "The classes are scheduled to start soon after kindergarten classes let out. Many or most parents come to pick up their children at that time. Of course, class schedules will never work for everyone. If the class started after 6pm, some would say that conflicted with dinner, etc." - James S, 5 months ago (emphasis mine) (let them eat cake?) - "The course is only available because volunteers take their valuable time to help, so it seems a bit ungenerous to criticize the effectiveness of the scheduling of the classes." - James S, 5 months ago
- "I would like to see the fish classes return to Lincoln pool and have some later or weekend lesson times for beginners during summer. There are not that many stay-at-home parents that can take their kids to an 11am class. - Emily G. [In response] "Unfortunately we just don't have anyone to volunteer to teach the reds, blues and greens at Lincoln. I am working with Donna to hopefully get some free private lessons for members on the weekends. It probably won't be until next spring. - Christine S, 2 years ago
And an excerpt from a private lesson email update sent to members (this is regarding private lessons included in membership, not kinder lessons, but reveals much about how lessons are arranged):
- "We have a lot of members who want swimming lessons and we’re completely full. I’m afraid we’re going to have to go back to 1 lesson per child every other week. I have released the next two weeks on Calendly and you may sign up for 1 lesson. If lessons fill up please let me know and I will try to add some more."
I have a 5-year-old daughter; she has taken numerous swim lessons with ARPD, with San Leandro Parks and Rec, with Aquatech, and with the Oakland YMCA. Every single one of these lessons has been arranged with online registration and has taken place at a time convenient for working parents like us. Unlike many Alameda stay-at-home parents of the '60s and '70s, we're not able to pick our daughter up from kindergarten early. She, and many other children of working parents, simply can't attend the free lessons that ASPA offers.

Lessons aside, the only way for folks who can't afford the $400+ membership expense to swim recreationally is apparently to hope that the gate is again left unlocked due to technical difficulties or to gain entrance however the "lots of non members who use the pools" do - presumably by sneaking past the gate guard?
Let me again re-state my appreciation, as a member of a white family that could afford the yearly fee, for Christine S and the hard-working volunteers of ASPA, who honestly just might not know about the racist impact of their failure to change their fee and lesson structures for decades.

Council, I hope you'll consider letting ARPD or a vendor take over operation of the Lincoln and Franklin pools. I've been very impressed with the scheduling system and lessons offered through ARPD. If not, please at least require ASPA to implement an equitable day use fee for non-members (on weekends, maybe?), require scheduling of kinder lessons after 5:30 pm at least one day each week, and stand by your demand for increased lifeguard training and presence.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Morgan Bellinger
From: Trish Spencer
To: Lara Weisiger
Subject: Fwd: [EXTERNAL] ASPA lease
Date: Monday, February 14, 2022 10:34:50 PM
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dawn Oishi <[email protected]>
Date: Feb 14, 2022 11:43 AM
Subject: [EXTERNAL] ASPA lease
To: CityCouncil-List <[email protected]>
Cc:

I have been a member of the ASPA since 1990. It has been an essential element in supporting a grass roots community pool association providing much needed social engagement and a physical workout. It works because it is simple.

Membership dues changes according to inflation but is around $500. per year with key holders paying an additional $50. Our entire community is based on a volunteer model starting with the board. Members volunteer maintaining the grounds, the chemicals in the pool and all that goes into successfully running a safe site for our swimming community. Key holders go through a life saving course (once) and maintain a BLS card to renew our status yearly.

We support the community using the pool with our Alameda Fire Fighters, KinderSwim and Seniors without membership status.

I am contacting you to ask that you please renew our leases of the ASPA. After reading what is on the agenda and understanding what is negotiable, I believe that a short term lease of less than 5 years would satisfy the Surplus Lands Act (SLA).

Respectfully,
Dawn Oishi
2713 San Jose Avenue
From: Trish Spencer
To: Lara Weisiger
Subject: Fwd: Alameda Swimming Pool Association
Date: Monday, February 14, 2022 10:05:15 PM
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jillian Northrup <[email protected]>
Date: Feb 14, 2022 1:29 PM
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Alameda Swimming Pool Association
To: CityCouncil-List <[email protected]>
Cc:

Hello-
I have been using the pools at Lincoln and Franklin parks as an active member of the alameda swimming pool association for almost 10 years now. I have lived in Alameda for longer than that, and my husband and I just bought our first home in Alameda in 2019.

I love the structure of the Alameda Pool Association. I love that I can pay once a year and then have my year round access for myself and my family. I find the fees very affordable when compared to other pools.

I swim two times a week, year round with a "key holder" buddy.

The group of people that swims at the same time that we do is very communicative and conscious of the pool rules and making sure everything is done correctly. We are all there to swim laps.

I have also enjoyed the flexibility to take my kid there in the warmer months.

It is a wonderful system that works well, and it would be a shame to see it change.

thank you
Jillian Northrup
Founder & Director
-----------------
BecauseWeCan
2526 San Jose Ave., Alameda, CA
Check out our sister company: Model No. Furniture, the first in 3D printed furniture crafted from eco-friendly materials. Designed and Made in Oakland, CA.

USA
From: Trish Spencer
To: Lara Weisiger
Subject: Fwd: [EXTERNAL] Franklin and Lincoln Pools
Date: Monday, February 14, 2022 9:30:36 PM
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ronnie <[email protected]>
Date: Feb 14, 2022 9:15 PM
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Franklin and Lincoln Pools
To: Malia Vella <[email protected]>,Tony Daysog <[email protected]>,Trish Spencer <[email protected]>,John Knox White
<[email protected]>,Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft <[email protected]> Cc:

I know you are receiving a lot of emails fro those who are ASPA members. Most of those letters are technical and factual, mine is more the emotional side of why I would love to see the pools remain under ASPA. I have been member of the pools for almost 24 year and I always felt the pools are the best deal in town. The cost for an entire family is now about $500. My children grew up using the pool and my son learned to swim there. It was such a great way for them to see their friends during the summer months. There was no additional fee if they took friends from out of town to the pool. We could all go and swim and picnic. It made for such fun days during the summer months.

My understanding is the pools were build for the kids in Alameda. As we are an island city the thought was that every child should learn how to swim. The pools provide this opportunity with lessons given both in the spring and fall for children who are members. In addition all kindergartners in Alameda are offered free swim lessons. And there is also the Alligators which offers a competitive swim team experience for all ages up through high school.

Our pools have provided an amazing experience for children in Alameda.

As for me, I love to swim for exercise. I am not a fast swimmer but that doesn’t matter at these pools. There is such a sense of community at the pool; we all look out for each other. As you know the ASPA is a non profit organization. It is all volunteer based and I have seen people fix the lane lines over and over to save money and to make sure the pool runs smoothly. There are those who manually scrub the pools to keep the dirt from building up on the walls. Several members take out the trash cans when garbage day comes. Others help teach the swim classes. These tasks and more are all done by our members who are volunteers because we care about the pool and we care about our community.

Franklin pool also provides free senior swim for any senior in Alameda two days a week. I usually swim just before the seniors so I have gotten to know many of them over the last 24 years. Here again is an amazing, special community of people who care about each other. Not only do they come to swim but the senior swim time also gives them an opportunity to socialize with each other. I think they would be at a loss if this was no longer available to them.

The other thing i like, being a lap swimmer (a slow one at that-as mentioned above), is there is no circle swim. We each have our own lanes. I can swim at my own pace and not feel the pressure of someone following behind me. I swim to exercise, relax and problem solve. This does not happen when I am forced to circle swim. At Franklin Pool, if there are more than 8 swimmers people will wait until someone gets out so we don’t have to circle swim. People are so understanding and we all feel more relaxed and happy when the experience is a good one.

To conclude I would like to see the city renew the lease for ASPA. I would also like to see if more scholarships can be given to those who can’t afford the fee for membership. In addition I would like to see the city find another alternative for a city pool. Hopefully the aquatic center at Emma Hood will become a reality so the ASPA can continue to run Franklin and Lincoln Pools like they have been doing for the last 50 years.

Thanks for allowing me to give my input
Ronnie Blumenthal
From: John Chipman Jr
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; John Knox White; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; Trish Spencer Cc: Lara Weisiger; Eric Levitt; Amy Wooldridge
Subject: [EXTERNAL] City Council Meeting—February 15, 2022—Agenda Item 7-D Date: Monday, February 14, 2022 4:10:18 PM
Hello Mayor Ashcraft & Council Members,
I support the City's continued relationship with Alameda Swimming Pool Association ("ASPA").

My family has lived in Alameda for 23+ years. Our home is across the street from Franklin Pool.

Over the years ASPA has provided us with a safe, fun place to swim. Thanks to ASPA, my children learned how to swim. ASAP's support of local swim teams helped my children appreciate the value of sportsmanship, and the pride of representing our Island City at swim meets. Through ASAP my wife and I have volunteered as lifeguards for "big pool" duty during the hot summer months. ("No running on deck!") ASPA's thoughtful management of the Franklin site has created a welcoming, friendly environment -- perfect for swimming with friends and making great memories. In my opinion, ASPA is among the unsung heroes of the Alameda community.

It's in the best, long term interest of our Community to renew City leases with ASPA. Thank you for your consideration.

John, Jayne, Rory, Conrad & Duncan Chipman
1424 San Jose Avenue, 94501, 510.282.4296
John Chipman Jr
Executive Vice President
Chipman Relocation & Logistics | Chipman Corporation, FMC 1639 Agent for United Van Lines & Mayflower Transit
Direct: (510) 748-8703 | Office: (510) 748-8700 | Fax: (510) 521-7684 1040 Marina Village Parkway Suite 100 | Alameda, CA 94501 www.chipmanrelo.com
| [email protected]
From: ken
To: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] LINCOLN AND FRANKLIN POOLS
Date: Monday, February 14, 2022 2:36:35 PM

I AM WRITING TO URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO RENEW THE LEASE FOR THE POOLS AT LINCOLN AND FRANKLIN PARKS. THESE POOLS ARE A VALUABLE ASSET TO THE CITY OF ALAMEDA. THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF TEACHING ALAMEDA CHILDREN TO SWIM IS STILL BEING FULFILLED. WITH

THE ADDITION OF LIFEGUARDS DURING OPEN SWIM SESSIONS AND

CLASSES FOR CHILDREN THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE POOLS CANNOT

CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SAFE AND REASONABLE RECREATION FOR ASPA MEMBERS.

From: Rachel Wilson
To: City Clerk
Cc: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; John Knox White; Trish Spencer; Manager Manager Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public comment on City Council Meeting 2/15/22 Agenda Item 7 - D Parks and Recreation Date: Monday, February 14, 2022 9:46:20 AM
Dear Clerk,
I am writing in a public comment on 2/15/22 City Council Agenda Item 7-D 2022-1688 Recommendation to Provide Direction on the Operation and Management of the Franklin Park and Lincoln Park Pools. (Recreation 10051400)
I am writing to ask the City Council to push for increased public access to the Lincoln and Franklin pools. I am concerned that even if the Lincoln and Franklin pools were not created as private members-only pools in 1959 in order to intentionally maintain segregation, that nevertheless they currently function as segregated spaces on public land. I am concerned that the pools are experienced as inaccessible spaces to many people in our community and in neighboring communities who come to our public parks and see a private pool that they are not allowed to use. 600 member families in a City with 78,000 people does not feel like a fair use of public space. These pools do not reflect the "Everyone Belongs Here" value that we as Alamedans purport to hold dear.

I am deeply concerned that the ASPA board has not demonstrated a willingness to shift their practices in order to increase accessibility. For example, the agenda notes that "ASPA is not interested in online registration at this time as their volunteer who manages registration is not trained or interested in utilizing an online system." is exactly the problem. This is also a major problem with how they communicate with current members. Also, their claim of accessibility by offering free swim lessons to anyone on the island feels disingenuous because the lessons are only offered on weekdays at 3pm, which is not accessible for many, many working families and are very difficult to find out about - unless you already know a pool member and even communication to current pool members is infrequent and unclear.

I have been a member of the ASPA for four years and have never seen board minutes nor been informed of the date of a board or membership meeting so that I could attend and voice my concerns to the ASPA board, whose names and contact information are not posted on their website. I know from personal experience that there are dozens of ASPA members who are eager and willing to volunteer their skills to improve the operations and communications and accessibility of the pools, provided the ASPA board is willing to work with them. If the City chooses to continue lease to the ASPA, I expect the City to push the ASPA to increase accessibility to the public and transparency between the ASPA board and its members.

Thank you,
Rachel Wilson Wheeland, Current ASPA Member, Alameda Resident From: [email protected]
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; John Knox White; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; Trish Spencer Cc: Lara Weisiger; Eric Levitt; Amy Wooldridge
Subject: [EXTERNAL] City Council Meeting—February 15, 2022—Agenda Item 7-D Date: Sunday, February 13, 2022 9:45:04 PM
Honorable Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft and City Councilmembers:

For more than six decades, the Alameda Swimming Pool Association (ASPA) has shouldered the responsibility of providing recreational swimming opportunities for hundreds of Alameda residents. ASPA has enabled three generations of our island city to become water safe and has offered them an opportunity to stay physically fit and mentally healthy.

Existing City facilities cannot accommodate the many Alameda residents who, like me, swim laps in Lincoln and Franklin pools starting long before sunup. We swim for exercise, for meditation, for personal challenge, and for camaraderie. Unlike a masters’ swim program, there is no coach telling us what to do.

We thrive in this environment.

The ASPA pools are neighborhood scale. Each location has a “small pool,” which is 3 feet deep throughout its length, and a “large pool,” which is 25 yards long, has four narrow lanes, and ranges from 3 to 6 feet deep. 6 feet. I can stand up in the deepest part with my head above water. Each pool location has a building that contains a pump room, an office, and two unheated dressing rooms with toilets, a sink, and hot showers (which are not operating during the pandemic). The facilities are rustic but functional and safe.

The City’s long-term lease with ASPA is in no way an indication that the two pool sites are “surplus lands” subject to the provisions of the State of California’s Surplus Lands Act. To the contrary, the swimming pools at Lincoln and Franklin Parks are vital facilities, and ASPA provides a vital service to the City of Alameda.

I urge you to secure an exception to the Surplus Lands Act, extend the ASPA lease, and use the resources of the Alameda Recreation and Park Department to publicize ASPA’s free swimming lessons for kindergarten-age children and free swimming for seniors.

Thank you.

Betsy Mathieson
Alameda
From: Lisa Amstutz
To: City Clerk; Amy Wooldridge; Scott Amstutz
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Regular meeting agenda item 7-D: Recommendation for Management of Franklin and Lincoln Pools.

Date: Saturday, February 12, 2022 7:16:19 PM
To whom this may concern, regarding the agenda item for Tuesday night's meeting:

Please do not allow for the city of Alameda to take over management of Franklin and Lincoln pools. It would be an absolute disaster.

I've only had very rough experiences with the city of Alameda, ARPD run/staffed swim lessons for my children. The instructors don't know how to handle toddlers; they didn't even get in the water with my son; there are never enough classes available; they fill up on the first day, and they aren't cheap. Half the time the lesson had to be cancelled without refund because the water wasn't heated at Encinal. Instructors were late or just didn't show to teach class. It was extremely frustrating and poorly run.

Franklin and Lincoln swim lessons have been the exact opposite. The teachers are wonderful with children, especially teacher Grace, understand and are trained in how to deal with varying ages, from Kinderswim to baby, and the pool has been extremely accessible and affordable for our family, also heated to 80 degrees, and at less than $500 a year for this last season. It's a wonderful community asset, and historical gem that has been operating this way for many years. I also use it for lap swimming. We give back by volunteering for the pool, guarding and helping to maintain it. And Christine Seagren is a saint for the countless hours she volunteers to make the organization run smoothly. More than once, because of our American Red Cross certifications, we've been able to prevent incidents, compared to Encinal, where there wasn't always a guard present during lessons, and the supervisor sits at a table with his and/or her back turned to the pool on her cell phone. And most of the instructors are very immature high school students. The alternative is the private Aquatech swim school, and at $130 per child, per month, it's not financially feasible for our family, or joining Harbor Bay Club, which is nearly $300 a month for a family membership.

ASPA is a wonderful nonprofit, organized by people who care about their community, ensuring children learn to swim, and taking a personal interest in their progress. A very wonderful man named John also spends countless hours at Lincoln pool trimming bushes and maintaining the pools. Is the city of Alameda also going to take over maintenance of the grounds? My children are ages 3 and 5, and my oldest is water safe now thanks to the summer lessons and Kinderswim program, and family swim pool access times. Though the Kinderswim classes are full and well used, the training methods work, expose children to the water, and the instructors group like-swimmers, not by age, but ability, together. There is also a guard present watching the whole pool, while the lessons are in session.

My husband and I are both keyholders and personally paid for our American Red Cross CPR/First Aid class, Child, Adult and Baby, CPR and AED, which is still good for another year and we are both very much capable of rescuing a swimmer in distress. I'm also a past aquatic center manager, who trained lifeguards, taught swim lessons to children, and has completed numerous open water swimming competitions, including Ironman distances. Who would you rather have lifeguarding, me, or a high school student who doesn't even know how to properly scan a pool? Or the Encinal pool manager with their back to the pool on their cell phone?
We will do whatever it takes to ensure ASPA continues to operate the pool and provide lessons for Alameda families. Please let me know if you have any questions, and will be interested to hear the outcome of Tuesday night's decision.

Lisa and Scott Amstutz, Alameda residents, 94502
--
Lisa Amstutz
925.683.2095, [email protected]

From: Andrew C.

To: Meredith Owens
Cc: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; John Knox White; Tony Daysog; Trish Spencer; Malia Vella; Amy Wooldridge; Eric Levitt; Lara Weisiger
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Recommendations regarding Franklin and Lincoln Pools Date: Friday, February 11, 2022 11:38:23 AM
Thanks, Meredith! Clear, reasonable, and vital.

Andy
On Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 9:20 PM Meredith Owens <[email protected] > wrote:

To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
I have been a member and key holder of the Alameda Swimming Pool Association (ASPA) for almost 35 years. I am a year-round lap swimmer and both of my daughters learned to swim at Franklin and Lincoln Pools. ASPA pools are an important community asset for my family and over the years for thousands of Alamedans.

I am concerned about the future of these heavily used community pools. I am requesting that the City continue to negotiate with ASPA to keep these pools open. Please note that the City Council report states that the membership to ASPA is $500/year, and it is actually $440/year.

Critical terms for negotiations:

Require Appropriately Trained Lifeguards on Deck at all Times:

As a keyholder I did complete the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED online training on February 24, 2021. I request the CIty to continue to negotiate policies to ensure a feasible, appropriate, and safety-focused policy to address this issue.

Require City Approval of ASPA Policies and Procedures:

I support increasing the age limit to at least 13 years regarding dropping off a child that has passed an agreed upon swim level. I also support the effort to ensure that lifeguards are doing their job and not on their phones - that should never be tolerated. My observation the last few years at Lincoln is that the lifeguards were doing a good job. Quite a few years ago the poor work performance of lifeguards at Franklin was a problem. My understanding is that behavior has been corrected. Methods for a better understanding and enforcement of ASPA policies and safety measures should be developed and implemented to all members and those using the pools.

Public Access and Equity:

The City staff concern about "exclusionary policy" is puzzling. Membership is open to all community members. There are also fees to use City-owned pools and the annual hours of operation are very limited. To my knowledge City-owned pools only operate in the summer and actually only part of the summer - they close mid August. Thus public access to City- owned pools is limited, and the cost of the private health club pools is very high in Alameda.

ASPA provides year-round lap swimming, Alagator swim team, and senior swim. Also the free kinder swim program - open to all Alameda kindergarten students - runs in the fall and spring, when the City-owned pools are closed.

I support efforts for the City and ASPA to develop a feasible and cost effective member- based operation of Franklin and Lincoln pools.

Capital Improvements:

Critical terms for negotiations:

Require Appropriately Trained Lifeguards on Deck at all Times:

Require City Approval of ASPA Policies and Procedures:

Public Access and Equity:

I support efforts for the City and ASPA to develop a feasible and cost effective member-based operation of Franklin and Lincoln pools.

Capital Improvements:

I support the ASPA compliance with OSHA regulations along with required safety equipment, which will make our pools accessible for disabled people. The first step is to develop a capital improvement plan and a strategy to implement the plan.
--
Best,
Meredith Owens
905 Broadway
Alameda, CA 94501
[email protected]
From: Henry Berg
To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft; John Knox White; Tony Daysog; Malia Vella; Trish Spencer Cc: Lara Weisiger; Eric Levitt; Amy Wooldridge
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Rec. and Parks agenda item on ASPA pool lease renewal Date: Thursday, February 10, 2022 2:02:40 PM
Ref. City Council Meeting—February 15, 2022—Agenda Item 7-D To Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft and the other members of the City Council
I have read through the staff report on this agenda item and I believe it must be considered suspect because some faulty information given and what it has omitted. It may be known by some, but these 2 swimming pools were gifted to the City and were built at no cost to the City by some fine citizens. In the executive summary it states that a lease was given to, "... design build and operate 2 swimming facilities." What it omits to say is that all this was performed at no cost to the City. It is true that the City is the owner of these facilities but only because of the generosity of its citizens. Any executive summary should have included this fact. Brendan Macaulay, an Attorney and Association member has previously aptly demonstrated to you that the "Surplus Lands Act" passed by the State of California does not apply to these facilities. Your Staff has on numerous occasions been told by myself, Mr. Macauley, and numerous others that staff's understanding of the fees paid for membership are incorrect. Yet staff continues to put out information that they know is wrong. Regardless of having the legal right, it is ethically and morally wrong to take away management from the same people that gave the City the pools in the first place, when no mismanagement of the swimming facilities has been shown. Could the City do better? I doubt by it's track record that it could. Likely far worse. And finding another outside operator to manage the pools would fare no better. Could the City or such other operator find the volunteers to teach swimming, maintain the grounds, guard the seniors, come to the pools at 2 am and fix a vital piece of equipment, open the pools at 5 am when some swimmers must begin their workouts, fix the lane lines when repair it urgently needed for swim classes - ALL AT NO LABOR COST. Don't believe it. All these things have been done by volunteers for the past 60 years; with a perfect safety record. That's better than many pools having numerous life guards. Why? Because we care - we are family to all swimmers. You can't always get that with paid staff. I would suggest that the Staff also ask for guidance on what to say in a "Letter of Appreciation" from the Council to the ASPA for donating, building and maintaining these pools, providing thousands of swim lessons to Alameda residents and for their more than 60 years of volunteer service.

Why does the Recreation Staff feel they need to "negotiate" a new lease. Why aren't they just thankful that they have such a fine group of citizen volunteers to maintain and run the pools. I am sure that the Swimming Pool Association is sensitive to Community members that are hard pressed for cash. And the Pool Association has shown its flexibility with membership dues on many occasions. If the City would like to authorize City funds to support disadvantaged peoples use of the pools, I'm sure it would be appreciated. So your choice of direction to the Recreation Staff should also include, just renewing the lease for another 10 years and continuing to work with the ASPA to improve the water experience for all Alameda.

On February 10th of last year I also wrote:
> I have swum at Franklin and Lincoln pools, managed by the Alameda > Swimming Pool Association for 35 years. As a volunteer I have taught > the ASPA, Reds Greens and Blues swim classes for the last 28 years. I > can attest that the approximately 1600 kids that have gone through > these classes come from all walks of life, that they have become safer > in our City surrounded by water, and that they have built into their > abilities another means to ensure fitness. This year the swim classes > were completely reconfigured to provide a safe, socially distanced > environment in a Covid environment.
>
> My willingness to volunteer has been because of the many others who > also give their time to make these pools work. The kindergarten swim > and senior swim programs that are offered to all Alameda residents, > regardless of membership, could not be afforded if it weren't for the > community volunteers that have created these programs. I don't doubt > that this sprite would be lost without the ASPA. These are not > surplus lands, but rather the City's pools, that the City wisely > decided to designate ASPA as management. Please, renew the lease for > another 10 years.
>
> Henry Berg, Alameda Resident 38 years
>
From: Peg Magarian
To: City Clerk
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Alameda Swimming Pool Association: City Council Regular Meeting Agenda Item 7-D, Feb 15 Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2022 9:30:21 PM
Directed to the City Council:

I am writing to you today to protest the proposals you are considering for the Alameda Swimming Pool Association. We have existed in peace with the city since 1959. Many residents use these pools, free from the bureaucracy of local governments – it is truly a neighborhood run organization and a jewel for the City. I really cannot imagine why you want to undo the good this organization has done for the City.

It seems quite plain that the City has not responsibly operated the aquatic facilities in its care. The short-sighted approach is to find any means possible to grab the assets of a well-run organization.

This would be disastrous. Not only do I have little faith in your ability to operate the pools, based on your approach to existing city facilities, but can only imagine how quickly you would run it into the ground. Have you truly considered the costs of running these pools? Have you considered how small they really are? The facilities are sized for a small neighborhood organization, not a large city facility.

In addition, I note that you likely care little for impact to the people who have been active in the pool community for many years, maintaining them on a volunteer basis. We are solid citizens, contributing much to the City. Yet, no consideration for the residents who have literally built community around these pools. Isn’t this a core goal for a city? To foster this type of community / neighborhood group?

The cost is relatively small to join, considering the cost of using your facilities on a daily basis. So the equity argument doesn’t really hold water (no pun intended). And, by the way, all of your proposals for the ASPA are bogus. We have been lifeguarding ourselves just fine.

So my final question to you is – why?
As elected City officials, this might severely affect your city political prospects in the future.

By the way, Tony, your city email is not working….

Directed to Ms. Wooldridge, ARPD director:

Having reviewed your arguments for the city take-over of the ASPA, I’d like to point out that your equity argument is truly not well thought out.

For a family of 4, for $500 per year at ASPA, we have unlimited lap swimming when the pools are not used for the swim teams, kids’ swim lessons & family times during the summer:

Lap swimming:
·
Adults with keys can swim daily; let’s assume 3 days per week. · Encinal Swim Center – could not find the price on the website Family Day at the pool:
· At ASPA, families can go to the pool every day from June through August. From 1 until 4 pm, 5 days per week; but let’s assume 3 days per week
· Encinal Swim Center = 60 minutes for $50; total for a summer at 3 days per week = $1500; I really can’t believe you guys are charging this!
Swim Lessons:
· ASPA lessons are for all kids, every morning, from 9 to noon all summer long. The really great feature is the older kids learn how to teach the younger kids, fostering a GREAT community. Many of these kids go on to become lifeguards, not only at ASPA, but at pools throughout the Bay Area. Many kids participate every day, 10 weeks during the summer · Encinal Swim Center = 30 minutes, for 4 lessons per kid $40; the equivalent of what ASPA offers would be astronomical. 10 weeks of sessions would be $400 per kid!

So you will be taking the low cost alternative away. Equitable? Indeed ASPA is completely equitable.

Just thought I would point that out.

From: Trish Spencer
To: Lara Weisiger
Subject: Fwd: Equity and the Alameda Swimming Pool Association Lease Renewal Date: Monday, February 7, 2022 8:21:05 PM
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Neveen Acero <[email protected]>
Date: Feb 2, 2022 11:29 AM
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Equity and the Alameda Swimming Pool Association Lease Renewal To: Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft <[email protected]>,Malia Vella <[email protected]>,Tony Daysog <[email protected]>,Trish Spencer <[email protected]>,John Knox White <[email protected]> Cc:

To: City Council Members
We are a group of Alameda residents interested in an equity-related issue involving the pools in Alameda’s Lincoln and Franklin parks. We wish to support the City in its intention to be inclusive and equitable as stated in the ethos “Everyone Belongs Here”. Namely, we are calling for transparency and public input as The City of Alameda reviews its long-term lease with the Alameda Swimming Pool Association (ASPA), the pools’ current managing entity.

We recently sent a letter to Amy Wooldridge inquiring about the status of the Land Trust negotiation between the City of Alameda and the Alameda Swimming Pool Association. In the spirit of transparency, we wish to share the letter sent to Ms. Wooldridge with the Council (see below).

The City has shown a commitment to community involvement - whether it be in renaming a park or school or keeping slow streets and sidewalk dining as an option. We believe the public has a right to participate in determining how public lands are used. We plan to share a version of this letter with the wider Alameda community to allow interested parties to make public comments at the February 15 City Council meeting.

We thank you for your service on the City Council and appreciate your commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging.

[LETTER TO MS. WOOLDRIDGE)

Dear Director Wooldridge,

We are writing to inquire about the status and process for the “Review and Recommend Options for the pools at Lincoln Park and Franklin Park” agenda item, which was included on the March 11, 2021, agenda of the Recreation and Park Commission meeting and subsequently removed from the agenda.

We are a group of Alameda residents—several of us current or former members of the Alameda Swimming Pool Association (ASPA)—with concerns about the equity of the ASPA pool membership model and the continued existence of what is essentially a private, exclusive organization on public land. ASPA’s approximately 600 member households represent a tiny fraction of our City’s 75,000 residents. We urge ARPD to explore ways to broaden access for the larger community.

While ARPD has committed to availability and accessibility for all, within two of our parks are privately owned and managed, member-restricted pools many in our community find prohibitively expensive to join. Also daunting is the association’s volunteer requirement, which many working families cannot meet. While the ASPA purports to fulfill a mission to teach all of the island’s children to swim, the schedule for use prevents households without a caregiver at home from participating in ASPA’s swim lessons.

The membership fees, volunteer requirements, and limited schedule mean many Alamedans cannot join the ASPA and enjoy the pools. The current membership model also excludes residents from Alameda’s neighboring communities. ASPA’s governing board has been reluctant to make changes that reflect the changing needs of residents in our community and has provided little transparency about its decision-making practices. The Review and Recommend process is an opportunity for improvement.

As Alameda reconciles with its own problematic, racist and exclusionary history (for example, by renaming schools and parks), and as we strive to live up to the ethos that "Everyone Belongs Here," we applaud ARPD’s ongoing commitment to seeking community input. Because public parks and pools have long been places where inclusion was missing, that input is especially vital in this instance. Author Heather McGhee in her recent book, “The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together,” links the closure of thousands of public pools across the country to resistance to racial integration. As smaller, private pools took the place of public pools, only the wealthy few had access. While the origins of the Lincoln and Franklin Pools may have no connection to our country's past racial history, private pools are inherently exclusionary and should not be operated within our public parks.

As the City reviews the pool’s leases under the Surplus Land Act (SLA), the public has a right to (a) opportunities to provide input on the use of taxpayer- supported lands, and (b) open, transparent communication about how the City will make decisions about the use of that land. We are aware many pool association members are vocal in their support of continuing the current model. How are the voices of non-ASPA members being involved in the process?

We in no way wish to dishonor the generous founders or volunteers of the pools at Lincoln and Franklin Parks, and none of us wants to prevent the current members and their children from swimming and learning in the pools for many years to come. The time has simply arrived for the association/membership model to end, and a new, more equitable chapter to begin for these pools. We look forward to learning how ARPD will gain perspectives from all Alameda residents so we can prosper together. Please let us know how we can support this process.

Many thanks. Signed,
Maia Werner-Avidon, Alameda resident, former ASPA member Rachel Wilson Wheeland, Alameda resident, current ASPA member Neveen Acero, Alameda resident, former ASPA member
Shelly Y. Sheppard, Alameda resident
Kristan LaVietes, Alameda resident, former ASPA member
Jessie Seyfer, Alameda resident
Elizabeth Leonardo, Alameda resident
Athena Xenakis, Alameda resident
Monica Vigil Dombeck, Alameda resident, former ASPA member Michelle Macarai, Alameda resident, former ASPA member
Nancy Balassi, Alameda resident
Angie Watson-Hajjem, Alameda resident, member of the Live Oak Fellowship Social Justice Committee
Ximena de la Barrera, Alameda resident, member of the Live Oak Fellowship Social Justice Committee

Katina

Huston

767

Taylor

Avenue

Alameda,

94501
February

2022
Dear

Friends

Alameda

Parks

and

Recreation,
I

member

the

Alameda

Swimming

Pool

Association.

think

great

program

and

should

continue

and

supported

the

city.

understand

that

Alameda

Parks

and

Rec

wants

take

over

the

ASPA

pools.

want

discourage

you

from

doing

so.

Here

are

reasons:

ASPA

substantial

community

that

provides

rich

and

multiple

resources

the

residents

Alameda.

Any

Alameda

resident

can

join.

avid

swimmer,

particularly

families,

get

swim

hours

low

cost.

annual

fees

break

down

about

$2.40

swim.

Lifelong

community

starts

with

family

swim

goes

lessons

teams

life

guarding

senior

swim

and

sustained

through

the

years

with

volunteer

roles.

closed,

the

ASPA

swimmers

will

competing

for

swim

time

the

public

pool

switching

management

unlikely

increase

access

pools

overall.

ASPA,

people

actually

care.

When

swimmer

absent

from

senior

swim

for

than

few

sessions,

someone

calls.

Before

came

ASPA,

used

public

pools.

one

knew

name.

anyone

cared

when

left,

didn’t

hear

about

it.

During

the

pandemic,

members

have

had

rely

each

other.

sure

that

you

know

from

The

Mastick

Center,

interest

and

care,

built

naturally

and

founded

shared

interest

irreplaceable.

Break

and

gone.

may

that

ASPA

anachronism.

the

city

wants

eliminate

it,

then

make

obsolete.

ASPA

was

built

because

citizens

wanted

these

programs

which

the

city

did

not

offer.

When

the

City

Alameda

provides

enough

pools

and

programs

quality,

ASPA

will

end

its

own,

because

longer

needed.

Please

leave

this

appealing

and

highly

functional

program

place

serve

the

residents

Alameda.

Sincerely
,
Katina

Huston

Alameda City CouncilFebruary 15, 2022

Alameda City Council
February 15, 2022