Posts Tagged ‘PRAB’

Conversation with Tom Kramer

Friday, June 12th, 2009
There are a lot of changes occurring within the City Parks and Recreation Department.  Some of this is business as usual, some of it is due to the economic conditions of the past year.  At the top a new Director of Parks and Recreation, Kirk Kincannon, started on May 11th.  The Aquatics and Reservoir position under Stacy Cole was split in April or early May.  Reservoir operations continues under Stacy and Aquatics is now under an old timer named Tom Kramer.

I sat down and had a very good chat with Tom yesterday (6/11).  As an old timer with over 30 years experience in Parks and Rec, Tom has seen numerous administrations come and go.  He has also witnessed BAM from the inception.  Tom sees the bigger picture associated with the Rec centers and the part that BAM plays within them.  Tom summarized his philosophy about aquatics in three simple statements that I believe would ring true with everyone in the BAM organization which are:
  • Aquatics has got to be safe
  • Aquatics has got to be clean
  • Aquatics has got to be well maintained.
While simple in concept he and his team have been having some issues living up to them this summer.  Tom recognizes this and is working with his team to diligently correct the issues and improve the overall quality of the program.  He values BAM and the benefit it brings to the system.

We got to talking about the future a little bit as well.  Tom would like BAM to help inform the department about the swimmer’s needs.  The current economic conditions make it hard to say for sure what the future will hold but with honest conversations between BAM and the City Parks & Recreation Department we can ensure it meets all our patron’s needs.

How do you view the City’s aquatic services?  Are there areas you would like to see improved?  Are you generally happy swimming at City facilities?  Let me hear your opinion.

Tags: ,
Posted in BAM | 1 Comment »

PRAB Report - May 2009

Sunday, May 24th, 2009
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) meeting was held this past week.  In order to stay in tune with what the Parks and Recreation Department sees as their top issues as well as what the Advisory Board is seeing and hearing from the public I have attended some portion of these meetings.  My presence along with Todd Bryan’s membership on the board helps to keep the BAM interests in the front of Department and Board members minds.

Scott Carpenter Pool

Scott Carpenter Pool

I had gone to this week’s meeting specifically to introduce BAM to the new Parks & Recreation Department director and new PRAB members which were seated in April.  Unfortunately, the new director, Kirk Kincannon, and a new PRAB member, Marcelee Gralapp were not in attendance.  So rather than reiterating what many in the room currently knew, I held off the BAM introduction until the June meeting.

I did want to report that there was an interesting discussion between the PRAB and Sadra Llanes of the City Attorney’s office on the Roles and Authority of PRAB.  In short, PRAB has limited authority to raise issues from the public unless directed by City Council.  This is an unfortunate interpretation that has been existence since the PRAB creation circa 1960’s.  Unfortunate since several groups like BAM, AquaTeens, Boulder Swimming or Boulder Rowing Club have come to PRAB to request assistance with City Parks and Recreation issues.  PRAB in turn has had to instruct these user groups to gain the attention of City Council and request for a PRAB recommendation.

This is a relatively mundane detail until a group’s user fees are increased or their practice time becomes limited.  Such was the case for my initial attendance at the PRAB meetings back in 2006.  BAM’s user fees were being increased by an extraordinary amount.  Over time the amounts were moderated a bit.  Additionally, the allowance for the all BAM volunteer open water swims at the Reservoir which have provided an additional revenue source. Fee reductions at Scott Carpenter and the open water swims have offset the traditionally higher summer expenses enabling BAM to maintain our user membership rates flat for the past three years.

2010 may be a different story in terms of user fees since the City is feeling the economic pinch.  A couple of public budget meetings have been held to discuss areas for cutbacks.   I am taking a wait and see approach to what this will mean for our 2010 rates and facility availability.  I will keep everyone informed as more is learned.

Tags:
Posted in BAM | 1 Comment »