Talks reopen on municipal swim program

The Costa Mesa City Council tonight is expected to approve new fees and a reduced staff schedule that would keep some swim sessions at the municipal pool going from November to January, although the council had approved shutting down the aquatics program for those 10 weeks to help cut costs.

As part of $32,000 in budget cuts to the aquatics program, the city approved a closure from Nov. 23 to Jan. 17, but officials remained committed to finding a way to continue providing some classes during those 10 weeks at the pool at 1860 Anaheim Ave., said Lisa McPherson, Costa Mesa’s recreation supervisor.

The recreation division formed an aquatic task force comprising swimmers and regular pool users to come up with a way to continue providing some programs during the 10-week closure period, McPherson said.

The meeting resulted in some recommendations including reducing the fees for seniors and juniors from $5 to $3 per session. The fees were originally at the $3 rate per session for everyone including adults, but were increased during this year’s budget cuts to help the city offset costs. The fee for adults will remain at $5 per session.

“This is a great example of our residents taking ownership and helping us come up with a win-win solution,” said Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Leece, who would not commit Monday to saying how she would vote tonight.

The recreation division’s staff is recommending the establishment of a new annual pass to the aquatic programs at $300 for adults and $260 for seniors.

Hours for lifeguards and instructors have also been reduced and adjusted to allow for most lap swim sessions and senior aquatic sessions to continue during the 10-week period, McPherson said. If the council approves the recommendations, senior aquatics will be every Tuesday and Thursday, and lap swim sessions will be during mornings and afternoons on the weekends. Evening and Saturday sessions will not be held during the 10-week period.

Also on tonight’s agenda is an ordinance that would make it more challenging for liquor stores and convenience markets to sell alcohol.

But city staff is recommending the council discuss it in detail during a Nov. 10 study session. The council will examine proposed new restrictions for existing and future stores, including banning citywide alcohol sales between 2 and 9 a.m. The restrictions also would affect grocery stores that open before 9 a.m., said Minoo Ashabi, Costa Mesa’s senior planner.

The proposed restrictions resulted from complaints from residents and public nuisances reported around liquor stores and other establishments that sell alcoholic beverages.