Lifeguards at the pool

[jeffandstef]

Hi All Kitts Creek Residents,

I would like to get some feedback from residents and present the views to Jeb Black.

1. Lifeguards: Many have stated that having one lifeguard was not beneficial, but we don’t have the volume to hire 2 lifeguards every day. A cost effective approach is to have no lifeguards during the week and hire 2 lifeguards on the weekends and holidays when its busiest. Is this something that everyone would agree to?

2. Glass & Poop: What do you think about adding a convenant, “$250 fine to a person(s) with glass on deck.” We would post a sign on the pool deck, “No glass, or pay a $250 fine.” We could do something similar with poop.

Stefanie Reed
Pool Committee Board Member

[blbriggs67]

Hi,

With the recent declaration to the end of mandatory year round schools, we may see more action at the pool during the day time starting next year. It all depends on how the decision plays out in our local schools. Just something to keep in mind when we consider how busy the pool will be and therefore what level of guarding will be necessary.

Thanks!
Belinda

Year round school decision: http://www.wral.com/news/education/story/6746435/

[jeffandstef]

Good point.

Thanks,
Stef

[jeffandstef]

Hi Jeb,
There is a relative majority supporting no lifeguards during the weekdays and 2 on the weekends. I’d say it’s about 11 to 7. Not a very strong majority. I’ve included all the comments at the end of this email.
Some families have many small kids (more than 2) that feel having an extra set of eyes is beneficial. Some would be willing to pay a little extra for a better quality lifeguard. Maybe we can save money if one lifeguard worked part-time during the week like a 12 to 5 shift. Hopefully the cost savings would still allow us to have 2 lifeguards on the weekends. Also, the guards should take their breaks. The opposing view stated that having one lifeguard gave residents a false sense of security. It’s a monotonous task for a single lifeguard to work an 8 hour day by himself/herself. There were also concerns about the upkeep of the pool and the insurance implications if there was no lifeguard at all. Maybe if residents were able to get trained in CPR and First Aid, more people would be able to help with emergency situations. Also keep in mind, the Wake County school board voted to remove mandatory year-round schools. We could see an increase in attendance this summer if families decide to switch their kids back to a traditional school calendar.
Views and opinions might change if we could see the cost breakdown of the following 5 items. Could you please provide this to us. Please provide any additional costs such as a change in insurance premiums.
1) No lifeguards at all.
2) 1 lifeguard all week long.
3) 1 lifeguard during the week and 2 during the weekends.
4) 1 lifeguard working half day (part-time) during the week and 2 during the weekends.
5) No lifeguards during the week and 2 during the weekends.
As far as the fines, I believe many residents would support it if there were a way to enforce the fines, since we don’t have video cameras around the pool, or a pool manager on deck. Some thought $250 was too steep and that there should be warnings and 1st offense exemption; repeat offenders should have their pool pass taken from them. Also there are already clearly posted signs stating the rules on the pool deck. It’s probably not worth buying more signs if there is no enforcement. Furthermore, we should state in a future HOA letter to recommend to parents of young kids that “toddlers should be wearing waterproof diaper covers with snug elasticized leg & waist opening and not just a swim diaper.” I’ve heard that some pools are starting to ban disposable swim diapers.
Other concerns: The pool company did a poor job on the following: bathrooms were not clean, pool was not maintained well—the pool maintenance crew did not frequently clean the area, empty trash cans, skim pool, and check chemical levels. There were times during the summer the pool needed to be vacuumed and cleaned. If any cleaning did occur, the baby pool would get missed and neglected.

Please take time to read resident’s comments below…..

Stefanie

Re: Lifeguards at the pool
by blbriggs67 » Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:34 am
Hi,

With the recent declaration to the end of mandatory year round schools, we may see more action at the pool during the day time starting next year. It all depends on how the decision plays out in our local schools. Just something to keep in mind when we consider how busy the pool will be and therefore what level of guarding will be necessary.

Thanks!
Belinda

Year round school decision: http://www.wral.com/news/education/story/6746435/
blbriggs67


-----Original Message-----
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of John A.
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 2:07 PM
To: Kitts Creek Homeowners
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

The pool company sends someone to maintain the pool if no guard is there. That is in the contract.

___________________________________________________________________
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Lori Potter
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 2:04 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

I think there should be a lifeguard there at some point every day. Perhaps from 2 - 6 or 3 -7 when the pool is busier. If we cut the hours to 4 per day during the week perhaps we could have 2 during peak times on the weekends. I think an extra set of eyes on at the pool can't be a bad thing - plus if someone is drowning the lifeguard "should" know how to handle the situation.

Also I think Branden made an excellent point about cleanliness and maintenance of the pool. Some of the lifeguards did clean the pool when they were on duty and they also checked the chemical levels. Who would do that if we had no guards during the week? Would we have someone daily from the pool company out to ensure both the pools were at the correct levels? The cleanliness of the baby pool and the main pool were both issues last summer and we had guards there daily so I think that's something to consider.
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Cynthia Lynn H. Qayyum
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 10:57 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

Since we're on the subject of swim diapers, according to a study done by researchers at UNC-Charlotte:
The researchers measured the amount of microspheres that released from swim diapers worn by children. The microspheres have a similar size (five microns) to that of Crypto. Normal swim trunks, common disposable diapers and reusable diapers with and without vinyl diaper covers were tested. Swimming trunks without a swim diaper of any kind had the poorest performance - almost 90 percent of the microspheres were released into the water within one minute.
Swim diapers released about 50 percent of the microspheres within one minute. A vinyl diaper cover placed over a disposable swim diaper slightly improved performance. Still, over 25 percent were released into the water within two minutes. "When a fecal accident contains about a billion disease-causing Crypto oocysts, hundreds of millions of oocysts get into the water within minutes," explains Dr. James Amburgey, the lead scientist in the study. "Swimmers only need to ingest about ten Crypto oocysts to become infected."
Crypto is a parasite that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, so it's quite possible your daughter caught her stomach bug at the pool. More about the study can be found here.
-----Original Message-----
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of mmkatz
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 10:32 PM
To: Kitts Creek Homeowners
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

There have been some excellent points made here by various residents, but I wanted to throw in my two cents' worth.

Lifeguards: While I definitely see Alyssa's well-stated points about the lifeguards and peoples' false sense of security with one lifeguard around, as a mother of three young children, just having a back up is helpful. I am always in the pool with my kids and consider myself their primary." My husband isn't around a lot, and I would find my use of the pool severely limited by having no lifeguard there. I certainly support hiring better lifeguards by offering better pay. We have been very specific about teaching our children that they must listen to the lifeguards, and I always make a point to engage with them when we arrive and while we are there. But they should definitely take the breaks they need. If a lifeguard is present to save a life just once in the next 5 years, I think it's worth having them there. There is no price on a child's life. That being said, parents should certainly be seeing the lifeguard as back up - not primary care.

Poop in the pool: As many people have pointed out, this will be very difficult to enforce. I think it would certainly be reasonable to establish and post policies that a child must wear waterproof diaper covers with snug, elasticized leg and waist openings- not just swim diapers. Then perhaps, if there is a recurring problem, a fine would be reasonable...perhaps a first offense wouldn't be so much, then it
would increase with additional incidents. Accidents happen, we had a
near miss with my daughter, who had been potty trained for over a year, because we didn't know she was getting a little stomach bug. I don't think it's fair to penalize parents for accidents...recurring problems for kids who aren't using the swim covers and parents who aren't taking proper precautions are reasonable. But then, there's the whole enforcement issue...how could we even begin to do that? I, for one, am not comfortable policing friends and neighbors.

I'm not going to address the glass issue - except that I sure wish people would at least take it home with them and recycle it instead of throwing it in the trash can (along with plastics/aluminum.)

And I would be REALLY interested in knowing who cleans the bathrooms at the pool and how often. Talk about germs...


From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of margie brunner
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 10:13 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Lifeguards at the pool

I think that's a great idea. It's something that everyone (particularly those with children) should take.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬______________________________________________________________________

-----Original Message-----
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Branden Ritchey (britchey)
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 2:05 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Lifeguards at the pool

I am all for a CPR and First Aid course for the neighborhood

From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Branden Ritchey (britchey)
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 2:03 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Lifeguards at the pool

At my previous neighborhood, we had no life guards, and no issues reminding others of the posted rules…

The additional item, is how often the pool maintenance people come to clean the area, empty trash, skim the pool, check the chemical levels, etc.
This past year, the pool did have several days where it was in great need of a vacuum and cleaning.

-----Original Message-----
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of steve/anniechags
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 12:25 PM
To: Kitts Creek Homeowners
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

I vote for no lifeguards during the week, especially with how little our community uses the pool.

Fact is our lifeguards sleep or text their friends 90% of their time on weekdays. We have had one emergency incident that I'm aware of and the lifeguard froze up and was later fired. Most of them do very little towards upkeep of the pool as well. I'm not saying they are bad people, just bored without anything to do.

As for signs and fines, all rules should already be posted at the pool and breaking them cause for removal from the pool area. Repeating offenders should have their badges taken away by Jeb. We don't need to spend money on signs that will require the HOA to attempt to collect fines no one will pay. If anyone sees someone breaking the rules, remind them! ...and just to put this into context, if someone brought their visiting family to the pool and they have a bottle not knowing the rules, doesn't it make sense to just tell them to dispose of the bottle instead of asking them for their host's address so you can send them a fine? You won't know everyone at the pool.

-steve

-----Original Message-----
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of John A.
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 11:28 AM
To: Kitts Creek Homeowners
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

I agree with having just 2 guards on weekends. I'd also like to see the cost savings and how that might help with keeping dues down and/or funding social events. I thought the glass fine was considerably higher but I don't remember the suggested amount. The other issue is regarding the fine would be enforcing it.

From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of gagamaite@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 10:58 AM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

I also support having 2 lifeguards on the weekends and a fine system.

As for the quality of lifeguards, I have seen very good guards here at KC and ones that are not responsible. I remember an earlier discussion whereby "better" lifeguards are paid more money so we may want to take that into account. I have no problem paying a little more for good lifeguards.

Christy Agamaite
-----Original Message-----
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Alyssa Dill
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 9:22 AM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Digest for kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com - 6 Messages in 1 Topic

I was a lifeguard as a teenager and during college and in my personal
experience, what we have now with one lifeguard during the week, is
worse than no lifeguard at all. They feel compelled not to take their
10 minute break each hour and in that situation it is impossible to
concentrate anywhere near what is necessary to do their job. Also, by
the end of 50 minutes straight in the same spot, your concentration is
shot.

So I think it is worthless and a waste of our money to have 1
lifeguard during the week. None during the week and two on weekends is
a much better idea.

As for the fine idea, I like it, but I think it's unenforcable,
especially for poop. How can you say for sure who is at fault? I think
you can rarely be certain.

Alyssa
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Bobby Newell West
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 6:43 AM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Cc: <kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

As the mother of 3 young children, I want a lifeguard there! I by no means ignore my children while we are there, but simple math leaves me out numbered and anything can happen quickly. So I vote for at least one life guard during the week.

Bobby
1416 Legendary
____________________________________________________________________________
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Kathy Sales
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 12:32 AM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Lifeguards at the pool

All –

For what it is worth, at my last HOA, we had a life guard for years and had most of the same problems I hear about at our pool in KC. About 10 years ago and after checking with the state and city and insurance about regulations, we stopped having a life guard on weekdays and installed a properly worded “swim at your own risk” sign. We had no problems at all and were able to use those funds for better quality help on the weekends plus some other things.

Eventually we stopped having one on the weekends too after residents reported that one lifeguard had provided a false sense of security and lowered parental focus on the pool when kids were swimming. With no life guard, the false security was gone too – which all agreed was a good thing. So I am in favor of what I have seen work before – no lifeguards at least on weekdays.

The only problem we did have was…rule enforcement. Without a life guard or some other pool manager present, it meant that residents had to self police which really led to policing each other. That did not work well. We solved it by having people report issues to the on property manager who was on the property during the week. She and the Board would address each situation individually. I don’t know how we would replicate something like that here.

One thing we always kept in mind after making some mistakes with rules: if a rule is not enforceable with consistency and with consequences, it causes more problems than it solves.

Kathy

From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of teresa bock
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 11:11 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Lifeguards at the pool

I tend to stay out of these email communications. But for this one, I'll share my thoughts:

1. Lifeguards. I am more surprised that lifeguards are not required for insurance purposes than I am concerned about the number of lifeguards per weekday or weekend. With my work schedule and with no children, I rarely have time to frequent the pool. My thoughts are to have a lifeguard at all times. The few times that I have gone to the pool, I have seen some parents more involved in other conversations than with their child(ren). It only takes a matter of seconds before a child drowns. Parents should not expect the lifeguard to watch their child for them, but having that extra set of eyes can be, well, a lifesaver.
2. Glass and Poop. While I like the idea of penalizing those that disregard the health and safety of other residents, I second the voice of one of your other respondents. Who will be the enforcers of this fine? How are you going to enforce it? What if the individual refuses to pay the fine? How are you going to apply it? To what does "glass" apply? While the intent may to be punish those with beer bottles, what about glass from broken cameras lenses? Would there be exceptions? Does another resident report the offender? Does the accused get to face his or her accuser? Does the accused have an appeal process? While you may be able to determine which individuals are at the pool with glass, can you determine which ones have left fecal matter? There are more questions on that part than the glass.

Those are just my thoughts.
________________________________________
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of margie brunner
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 9:57 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Lifeguards at the pool

I agree wth Jim's comment. This is the first neighborhood we have lived in that had a lifeguard at the pool. That being said, I understand the argument for one lifeguard at the pool; however, two lifeguards for a pool of this size seems a bit much.

____________________________________________________________________
-----Original Message-----
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jim Balhoff
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 9:45 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

On Jan 4, 2010, at 6:08 PM, Cynthia Lynn H. Qayyum wrote:

> Personally, I am a big supporter of people being responsible for themselves and for their own children. Many neighborhoods of our size have no lifeguard. I believe the money would be better spent on pool maintenance such as cleaning and upkeep of the entire pool area.

I don't think it's completely an issue of personal responsibility. Lifeguards are trained in techniques of water rescue and CPR & first aid which often come in handy around pools. While they are mostly just high school kids, I have seen lifeguard training put into use more than once. I will say that I haven't been that impressed with the guards at our pool, but I haven't spent enough time at the pool to really criticize.

Best regards,
Jim

From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Farley
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 8:24 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

Stephanie,

Can we do one lifeguard during the week and two on the weekend?

Liz

From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Cynthia Lynn H. Qayyum
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 6:09 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

Has anyone done a cost benefit analysis of having NO lifeguard vs having guards some or all of the time vs having a maintenance service and the different combinations of those 3? There are many cost variables which would need to be included in the analysis, including insurance premiums.

Personally, I am a big supporter of people being responsible for themselves and for their own children. Many neighborhoods of our size have no lifeguard. I believe the money would be better spent on pool maintenance such as cleaning and upkeep of the entire pool area.

Cynthia Q.

PS: I vote yes for both fines.
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of vmskibuff@aol.com
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 4:48 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

I support both!
Victor
-----Original Message-----
From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Clayton Dukes
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 3:58 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Cc: <kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

It's pretty sad when we have to put signs out stating that pooping
will result in a 250.00 fine...


From: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com [mailto:kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Robin Morgenstern
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 3:03 PM
To: kitts-creek-hoa@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

1. Does the Hoa fee for pool insurance require lifeguards? If yes, will our insurance primium increase if we do not have lifeguards during the week? We could really use 2 lifeguards on the weekends, but I am worried about no lifeguard during the week at all... During the week Lifeguards should be having a 15 minute adult swim every hour so they can have a break...If I remember correctly the lifeguards would work from 11-3pm and 3-7pm... could we have a lifeguard for one of those time spots based on community majority during the week? These are just some questions/ideas...

2. Who will enforce the $250 fine for glass bottles? residents? lifeguards? pool committee?
From: Carlos Toledo [mailto:ctoledo@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 2:31 PM
To: Jeff & Stef Reed
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

Hi Stef,
Happy new year!

I agree with your proposal.

Thanks,
Carlos

Carlos Toledo
CToledo@GMail.com
919.351.9274

From: Viggiano, Robert [mailto:viggiano@netapp.com]
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 2:22 PM
To: Jeff and Stefanie Reed
Subject: Re: Lifeguards at the pool

I am good with the lifeguard stuff. Weekends are certainly busier, but, not always needing two guards. I would suggest getting one guard, and then see if we need to upgrade to two.

I would NOT agree with imposing a fine on bringing glass to the pool. I cannot see how that would be enforced? Who would enforce it? How would you prove it? This could get real ugly.

The poop situation is a no brainer. All toddlers must wear protective bathing suits.

Thanks
Robert Viggiano
Global Services Manager
NetApp
845-300-0893 Mobile
viggiano@netapp.com

[jeffandstef]

Hi All Kitts Creek Residents,

I’ve received the below email response from Jeb and I also talked to Scott Flor of American Pool Company. I will need to get feedback from you. Please read the entire email. We’d like to get a decision made by the end of January. The pool company has already hired 75% of its lifeguards. None have been hired for Kitts Creek because a contract has not been negotiated or signed. The longer we wait, the harder it will be for the pool company to hire quality lifeguards for us (They’ve been hiring since November).

The 2 contract proposals from Jeb to the Pool Company are attached:
• Daily Contract: one is for having a lifeguard, daily (Kitts Creek Contract 10-11.pdf).
• Weekend-Only Contract: the other is having 2 lifeguards on weekends and holidays only (Kitts Creek Part 1 Ver 2 (Weekend LGs Only)Contract 10-11.pdf).

Comparison Summary:
• Both contracts are for two years and both contract’s daily service start on May 29 and end on September 26. Therefore the last day the pool is open is on Sunday, Sept 26. An 8-hour lifeguard shift for both contracts would be 11am to 7pm.
• The Daily Contract budget: year 2010 - $19,950 and 2011 - $20,950. There is a $1000 increase in cost in year 2011.
• The Weekend-Only Contract budget: year 2010 - $17,750 and 2011 - $18,640. There is a $890 increase in cost in year 2011.
• The difference between contracts by year: year 2010 contract - $2200 savings with Weekend-Only lifeguards and year 2011 is $2310 savings.
• The Daily Contract requires the pool to be closed in September, Monday through Friday, but open on Weekends.
• The Weekend-Only Contract allows the pool to be open the entire month of September because of the cost savings from having 2 guards work only on weekends. We save 21 lifeguard hours per week with this contract.
• Both contracts provide free CPR/First Aid/AED training. We should take advantage of this.
• Per Scott, the total lifeguard hours for the Daily Contract is 884. Keep in mind that if all hours are used by guards, then the pool must be closed Monday through Friday in September.
• The total lifeguard hours for the Weekend-Only Contract is 608. With no lifeguard on duty during the week, the law requires the pool company to make service check during the week for like chemical-level checks. Labor hours for this type of maintenance checks is less than a lifeguard.

The 2010 HOA budget has already been approved; we can’t really change the dollar amount, but we can change the lifeguard hours.

I think the best compromise is to have a guard work part time during the week and have 2 guards on the weekends/holidays. Therefore, we would go with the Daily Contract. Scott said we could be very flexible with the hours; it doesn’t have to be a uniform schedule. I didn’t go to the pool as often as I like this past summer so the following observations are my perception. I noticed more people at the pool in the month of June. After the 4th of July, when year–round schools kicked into gear, July and August slowed down. Also, it appeared more people were at the pool after work hours, after 3pm during the slow months.

Per the Weekend-Only contract, the pool company is giving us 608 hours for weekend-only lifeguards or 38 weekend/holiday days (608 hours divided by 16 lifeguard hours). Therefore, there are 276 hours that can be used for part-time duty during the weekdays (884 total hours – 608 weekend-only hours = 276). Assuming part-time is a 4 hour day, that is 69 days to be used for part-time guard duty (276 hours divided by 4 hours). With this in mind, we cannot afford to have a guard work part-time all summer long during the weekdays and also have 2 guards work on the weekends/holidays.

I have 2 proposals:
• Both proposals would have 2 guards on duty for a full-day on weekends and holidays in all months. No guards would be available on the weekdays in the month of September. The part-time hours would be 1pm-5pm in May and June except Fridays, it would be 3pm to 7pm. In July and August, the part-time hours would be 3pm to 7pm, Mondays through Fridays.
• Proposal 1 (Sept- pool closed on weekdays): Have a part-time guard on duty, Monday through Fridays in May, June, July, and August. In September, the pool would be closed Monday through Fridays.
• Proposal 2 (Sept- pool opened all days till Sept 26): Have a part-time guard on duty, Monday through Fridays in May, June, and part of July (10 days). No guard would be available during the weekdays in the 2nd half of July and all of August. The cost savings from no lifeguard in part of July and August would be transferred as an expense to maintenance in order to keep the pool open in September during the weekdays. I will have to double check this option with Scott to make sure there are enough hours to keep the pool open in September for cleaning.

Again, we’re stuck with either contract for 2 years. The good news is, if the lifeguard schedule doesn’t work-out this summer, we can change the hours and make the schedule better for summer 2011.

Which proposal do you like and what do you think of the part-time hours and the allocated time slots. I am open to hearing your ideas or comments.

Stef

From: Jeb Black [mailto:jebblack@wpminc.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 9:08 AM
To: 'Jeff and Stefanie Reed'
Subject: RE: Comments on Lifeguard duty & Fines

Stefanie,

I am attaching the contract that is currently proposed. The life guards are hourly and I think that is the way we need to look at it by the number of hours. The budget for 2010 is voted and approved so “paying extra” would be a voluntary measure or additional monies would have to be subsidized by the development group. I have sent this to American Pool Service for there comments as well.

Jeb

[jeffandstef]

Hi All Kitts Creek Residents:

Okay, I've considered everyone's views and I think I have come up with a fair contract.

We'll have a one year contract with American Pool Company. The dollar amount set in the contract is the maximum. If we do not use all of the lifeguard hours by the end of the summer, the cost of our contract will reduce. There are guards that float between pools, but I heard concerns for wanting a quality lifeguard. I've requested JC to be our lifeguard again. His schedule has already been set, but he said he still wants to work a couple of shifts each week at our pool.

Here is what Jeb, American Pool Company and I have decided for the Kitts Creek's pool contract:

We're going with the Daily Contract for one year as we have done in the past. We’ll give American Pool Company one more try. If your unhappy with them, then we’ll bid for other pool companies, next year. Please take advantage of the Pool forum on http://www.kittscreek.org blog. Also there is a phone number on the cabana at the pool side that you can call to make complaints. They need immediate feedback. Do not wait a week to complain.

We'll have 2 lifeguards working on Saturday, Sunday and holidays in May, June, July and August. A single lifeguard will be on duty, part-time during the weekdays for the busiest months.

Weekend hours:
The guards working on the weekends will be overlapping their shifts. On Saturdays, one guard will work from 10am to 6pm, the 2nd guard will work from noon to 8pm. On Sundays, one guard will work from 12pm to 6pm and the second guard will work 1pm to 7pm. We'll save 4 hours every Sunday compared to Saturday. I don't believe many people will be at the pool prior to noon on Sunday due to Church and many people partying the night before.

Weekday hours:
We'll also have one lifeguard work part-time on the weekdays in June and July. The hours will be 3pm to 7pm, June 1 through June 9 during the weekdays. Most kids are still in school at this time of the month. For the rest of June and July, the hours will be 1pm to 5pm Mondays through Thursdays. There will be no part-time lifeguard during the weekdays in the month of August, except Fridays. On Fridays for months of June, July, and August, the hours will be 3pm to 7pm. If we decide we need a floater in August for the weekdays, we’ll negotiate with American Pool Company for a lifeguard.

We'll leave September open to see how many lifeguard hours are projected to be leftover towards the end of the summer. At minimum, the pool will be open on weekends in September with or without a lifeguard. Also I will meet with the guard weekly to analyze and assess the volume of people at the pool and identify the times that are the busiest. If for example, the 1pm-5pm hours are not covering our busiest pool time, we'll adjust the hours the following month.

The contract is attached as a pdf file. The contract provides a month by month description of the lifeguard hours. Look at the end of the contract, pages 8-12.

Also, we'll be discussing the planning for CPR/First Aid/AED classes in mid February. The classes are typically held in the months of March or April. I’ve been told that we should be able to use the clubhouse if the class is held in April.


Stefanie Reed
Pool Committee Chair

[jeffandstef]

Stefanie,

It has been approved by the BOD and sent to American Pool as executed.

Jeb

[TrvlArrngr]

when does the pool opennn??!!

[jeffandstef]

Pool will open the Saturday of Memorial weekend. Usually we get a letter. I think this year they are going to announce the details at the cook-out, thursday, may 27 at 6pm.

Stef