University Heights council approves emergency pool repairs after equipment estimate balloons

Councilors voted April 6 to authorize emergency spending to replace key mechanical systems at the municipal swimming pool after staff reported a substantially higher installation estimate than city budgeted.

Service Director Pennington told the council the sand-filter tanks are delayed about one month but said "if they are delivered with the one month delay that we're expecting, we still will be able to get the pool open on time." He later explained the installation estimate came in far above the placeholder used in the budget and acknowledged the shortfall: "I was way off on... I am not a pool expert by any means," Pennington said.

Officials said contractors identified complicated removal and reinstallation work, crane rental, new boiler venting and electrical upgrades that together pushed the cost higher. The council approved a $4,500 masonry contract with Harris Concrete & Masonry to enlarge an opening so equipment can pass through, and then approved a recommendation to award a sole-source contract to Package Boiler Systems & HVAC, not to exceed $169,418.88, and to waive the city’s competitive-bid requirement.

Mayor Weiss said the city would forgo buying a $180,000 front-end loader this year so budget room exists for the pool repair. "We are going to forgo the front loader ... to make sure that we have room to pay for this $170,000 item," the mayor said.

Several council members criticized the lack of detailed backup in the agenda packet and asked for clearer procurement documentation for future large expenditures. Council Member Wiseman opposed the emergency award, saying he wanted more information on options and the feasibility of an expedited bid process; councilors who voted to approve argued that a lengthy bid process would likely push the pool opening past a significant portion of the swim season.

The motion to award the package-boiler contract passed on a roll-call vote (majority yes; two council members voted no). Pennington said the equipment vendor had assured the city in writing that delivery would arrive within weeks, and staff emphasized they would proceed with installation as soon as the parts arrived so the pool could open on schedule.

The council’s vote authorizes the mayor to execute the contract and directs staff to proceed with installation and invoicing according to the contract terms. If the project later pauses at design or bidding phases, council members said they expect staff to return with full cost documentation and options before incurring additional obligations.