Public Works Committee approves grant recommendation, moves to add field cameras and readies pools for season

The Public Works Committee voted to recommend that the mayor and staff apply for a built-environment grant of up to $80,000 to fund design and construction work on local recreation courts and fields. Committee members said the grant would be prioritized for basketball and tennis court resurfacing and related improvements; Speaker 4 estimated total needed for courts and tennis improvements at about $105,000, meaning local funds would cover any shortfall.

Committee members discussed pool-season preparations. Speaker 1 said 16 lifeguard applicants are currently signed up; three returning lifeguards are already certified. Speakers described a multi-day swim-test and certification schedule and urged applicants to submit paperwork promptly for medical clearance. With human-resources increasing weekly hours to 29, the committee said staffing prospects look better than last year.

The committee also agreed to add cameras and license-plate-reading capability at park facilities. Speaker 1 presented vendor quotes including multi-sensor cameras and a license-plate reader option priced around $1,600; the committee approved adding the camera items to the exchange budget by voice vote. Speakers said cameras are intended primarily as a deterrent and to help staff monitor fields, bleachers, concession areas and the skate park.

Members discussed related park maintenance projects — repainting basketball courts, re-striping and adding handicap markings, replacing failing tennis-court anchors and repairing lighting poles damaged in a storm. Speaker 1 said six old metal-halide bulbs have been replaced with LED units and additional LED fixtures have been ordered.

The committee set a follow-up meeting to finalize pool opening plans for May 17 at 6 p.m. at the mayor's office and encouraged staff to complete swim-test scheduling and certification processing in the coming weeks.