Title
Authorization to Allow Adult Chaperones/Staff of Large Swimming Groups into City Pools for Free (NB)
Explanation
Based on industry standards, current Recreation & Parks Swimming Policies for groups who access City pools mandate that there must be a ratio of one staff person or adult chaperone per ten children (1:10 ratio). This is required for safety and liability reasons and to ensure that groups who use City pools provide adequate supervision for their children. Based on this policy, aquatic staff for decades has been allowing the adult chaperones/staff into the pools for free to ensure that the policy ratio is achieved.
It was recently brought to Management's attention that approval to allow these adult chaperones into the pools for free was never properly authorized by the City Commission. Current policy requires that all aquatic fees (and the waiver of fees) be approved by the City Commission. The Department wishes to continue the policy of allowing adult chaperones of large children's groups into City pools for free in order to ensure that the 1:10 ratio continues to be met. This policy applies only to children's groups, such as day care centers, churches, camps, etc. The policy does not apply to individual patrons visiting City pools.
Fiscal Note
Currently, to account for admitting adult chaperones into the pools free of charge, departmental staff has been recording a cash shortage on the appropriate finance forms. By authorizing adult chaperones to enter the pools for free, the recording of cash shortages for this purpose will be eliminated.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the Recreation & Parks Department to allow adult chaperones of children's groups to enter City pools free of charge.