Official Minutes of MARION COUNTY

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

February 22, 2018

CALL TO ORDER: The Marion County Board of County Commissioners met in a workshop session in Commission Chambers at 9:04 a.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at the Marion County Governmental Complex located in Ocala, Florida.

INTRODUCTION OF WORKSHOP BY CHAIRMAN KATHY BRYANT Chairman Bryant advised that the workshop was scheduled this morning to discuss an Aquatic Center.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of our Country.

ROLL CALL Upon roll call the following members were present: Chairman Kathy Bryant, District 2; Vice-Chair Michelle Stone, District 5; Commissioner David Moore, District 1; Commissioner Jeff Gold, District 3; and Commissioner Carl Zalak, District 4. Also present was County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes.

STAFF PRESENTATION — Jim Couillard, PLA, ASLA, Parks & Recreation Director: Parks & Recreation Director Jim Couillard presented a 1 page Agenda and a 23 page handout containing 46 slides entitled, "Marion County Aquatic Center" to follow along with the PowerPoint presentation. He advised that in the audience today are members from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Council (PRAC), Tourist Development Council (TDC), Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) staff, a Public School representative, and Parks & Recreation Senior Staff. Slide 2 addresses the goals for today's workshop. Staff will define the needs and goals, update the Board of County Commission (BCC) on current conditions, demonstrate the need for an aquatic facility, provide a timeline for the project, discuss funding and gather consensus. When talking about water parks it is important to define that vision, as it is a significant component of today's discussion. Slides 3 through 6 show different types of aquatic centers. The county is not looking to build another Aquatica, Grand Cypress Resort, small play yard or a pool with a couple of slides. What is being recommended is a hybrid solution that will accomplish many facets for the community. Pools with support amenities for competitive swimming, open swim lessons, training, etc.; as well as water play areas. The facility will have revenue generating features such as concessions, cabanas, rental facilities and amenities that actually support the operation. Slides 7 through 9 shows a facility staff toured in Stewart, Florida, which has the required lightening detection systems. When there is lightening within a certain range the pool immediately clears. Slide 10 addresses the preliminary feasibility report. A preliminary feasibility report was provided to the Board in November, 2017 and was created in reaction to the closure of the pool at the College of Central Florida (CF). The report highlights the current use of

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the pool and explores the feasibility of developing a public aquatic center in Marion County, as well as provides options for Board consideration. Slide 11 is an aerial view of the CF pool. Slide 12 addresses the CF pool. The pool was built in 1978 and renovated in 2000. A recent assessment deemed the pool and decking to be safe and operable for a few more years. The depth is a limiting factor on the facilities ability to host more tournaments or swim meets, as it is only 4 foot deep. The biggest date to consider is December, 2019, which is the date the CF Board has advised that the pool will be demolished. Slide 13 addresses the main current user groups. The current users are swim teams, water aerobics, private and business rentals, recreational swimmers, USA and Masters swim meets, which account for 5,340 uses annually. Slide 14 addresses seasonal user groups. The seasonal users are Special Olympics, swim lessons, the Patriot summer swim team, splash camps, high school teams and various trainings for lifeguards, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certifications and the National Guard, which attributes to another 3,605 users annually. Slide 15 addresses Potential Users. The county could host up to 10 high school district and regional meets; 3 high school state swim meets; 4 Florida Swimming Championships; 2 area meets, and somewhere between 5 and 8 invitationals annually, as well as USA diving competitions, USA synchronized swimming competitions, master meets, college teams, winter training. A lot of teams come to Florida to swim during the winter, which would be a modified tourism draw and participants would be in county hotels for weeks. Chairman Bryant questioned what similar facilities are in the surrounding area. Mr. Coulliard stated this will be addressed later in the presentation. Other notable sports that Marion County does not hear much about are underwater hockey and water polo, which are growing events in sports across the country. If the county had a facility to host those types of events, combined with existing and potential users, there could be close to 20,000 users on an annual basis. Slides 16 and 17 show the 2 different local public aquatic venues. The pool at Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center is owned and operated by the City of Ocala. It is a 25 yard pool with an 1,850 square foot play area. During the summer months, when it is open, there is a line of people waiting to get in. The other facility is the Hampton Aquatic Fun Center, which has the same footprint; there is also a line there because of demand and overcrowding of the pool. Citizens pay a certain fee for 1 hour and 50 minutes and when the time is up they are either asked to pay more or have to leave. There is a huge demand for this type of venue in Marion County. Slide 18 shows a picture of the Frank DeLuca Family Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), which is a semi private, semi public facility. The pool is only 24 yards 11 inches, so sanctioned time meets cannot be sanctioned and is a confining issue. The table on slide 19 shows information on pools in the region. The O'Connell Center in Gainseville is 35 miles away. The Board can see the different pool depths and deep ends for all pools in the region. The use of the O'Connell Center is very expensive, which is one of the reasons a lot of local meets are not held there. Staff toured the YMCA on International Drive (I-Drive), which is a major facility that holds competitions for groups of roughly 2,000 to 5,000 participants. That is not the market Marion County is considering. Slide 20 addresses the importance of aquatics. Staff has tried to limit the focus on bad news, but unintentional drowning is a major health problem. The USA annual average deaths by drowning was 3,536 between 2005 and 2015 and 1 in 5 drownings in the US

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are children under 14. Unfortunately, Florida leads the nation in fatal drownings of children ages 1 to 4. The graph on slide 21 shows the statistics from the Department of Health (DOH) on where the county is in relation to the state. The blue line seen on the overhead screens shows the steady average drowning deaths of about 2 per 100,000 people. The ratio on the graph is drownings per 100,000 people. Marion County is at 1.3, putting the county in line with other communities, such as Collier and Miami Dade County. The drowning average in Marion County is 43rd out of 67 counties. Mr. Couillard commented on an incident that took place at Horseshoe Lake involving a 4 year old who never learned to swim. There are plenty of places in the county for people to swim, but it lacks places to train them to swim at affordable rates. Slide 22 addresses wellness initiatives. Wellness initiatives is currently a big topic in Marion County. Parks and Recreation facilities provide affordable access for people to recreate and exercise. Options for affordable and safe swimming facilities in Marion County is very limited. The more options the county provides to the community to exercise and play, the healthier citizens become. Slide 23 addresses Recreation and Entertainment. Public pools and play areas provide a community with opportunities to increase social health and well-being, as well as significantly increases the quality of life. Aquatics is a diverse and modern recreational opportunities, which are key assets people and businesses look for when exploring places to relocate. Slide 24 addresses Economic Development. One of the top 3 characteristics that businesses look at when considering relocating is the provision of open space and recreational opportunities. This also plays an important role for visitors who are attending existing youth events. Aquatics will also improve the local tax base. There are roughly 25 studies from Texas A&M about the approximate value of lands next to parks. Twenty of the 25 studies indicate that there is a positive impact to ad valorem and property values to people who live next door to facilities and parks. People want to live next to these places. There is some concern about the noise, but with good site design, staff can help mitigate those challenges. Parks and recreation programs and these types of venues fuel the local economy, not only from a tourism development impact, but indirectly by people staying at local hotels. Competitive swimming is one of the most expensive sports and is something most people do not realize. Slide 25 addresses what happens if the county does not pursue an aquatic center. If the CF pool closes all Marion County teams will have to travel. People will leave the county to swim places where it is competitive and have the right facilities. Swim lessons and existing users will have limited options and existing public pools are already overburdened. The county will also lose the ability to compete in the market place with aquatics. The 3rd leg of the sports tourism stool is diminished, in order to have a good sports tourism industry the county has to have well designed and highly maintained facilities, good hotels, and something for the people to do when they are done with the tournament. Wild Waters is now closed; other pools are already overburdened in the summer and the county is looking at 11,000 potential users on top of the 9,000 existing users. Staff wants to ensure they bring in tourism and events. A lot of the events are held during the summer, which has been identified as the county's shoulder season for hotels. Approximately 800 competitors are at some of the events, plus their families, and coaches come to the area for 3 to 4 day tournaments or swim meets. Geographically, Marion County is ideally situated for this to happen.

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Slide 26 addresses the immediate need to replace the pool at CF. The county needs a 50 meter pool for local and regional competitions, which also meets the demands of existing users at CF. The model that will be addressed today will also include a 25 yard pool for warm ups and warm downs. It will be another place for swim lessons and other training. Slide 27 addresses the need for a sustainable operation. Mr. Couillard advised that asking the Board for a $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 pool with support facilities is one thing, but asking the Board for $500,000 annually to operate it is a whole other thing. The county will need to develop a sustainable model and consider adding things that create revenue, such as a water play area with daily entry fees; a facility with spaces for rentals for birthday parties and group fun; spaces for cabanas and shade pavilions, concessions and food sales for visitors, and the opportunity to include sponsors. The Board will be presented with a policy within the next couple of months regarding a sponsorship program that focuses on the Parks and Recreation Department, but could be used countywide. The county is missing out on a lot of sponsorship opportunities even sustaining the departments indirect cost in recreation programs. The county can bring in vendors to help offset that cost, but at this time the county does not have a set policy in place. The pictures on slides 28 through 30 are of different facilities that the county is not interested in creating. There is not a real need for a collegiate competitive swimming arena in Marion County and the county is not trying to compete with the University of Florida (UF), and does not need a Volcano Bay. Slide 31 addresses a hybrid approach, which includes 2 pools that are open year round, a 50 meter and 25 yard pool, as well as a seasonal aquatic play area. All of which work together to provide an economic impact, entertainment and leisure, as well as diversity in sports tourism. The aerial photo shown on slide 32 is the Sailfish Splash Waterpark located in Stuart, Florida. Mr. Couillard stated the Board needs to be clear on how the county can meet the immediate need. Timing of the immediate need, is one of the most important aspects. He questioned if the community could support something as big as what is in Orlando. These types of issues will need to be discussed. Mr. Couillard gave a brief overview of the layout and operation of the Sailfish Splash Waterpark. Concrete around the pools is set up specifically for tournaments and swim meets. Seating areas hold 800 to 1,200 spectators. The park has an official's booth, electronic scoring system and a score tower. One of the biggest challenges is most of the hotels are in Port St. Lucie, not in Stuart, and people have to travel 30 miles to swim at the facility every day. The middle building is for administration and there is a small kitchen. The facility sells approximately $60,000 annually in items, to make their experience memorable, as well as $200,000 to $300,000 in food since outside food and beverages are not allowed. A program is in place if lightening causes a user to have to leave the complex where they can pay an upcharge to the entry pass and come back later that day or another day for free. Parties are a big revenue generator for that facility. The facility has high tech bathrooms, locker rooms, and shower rooms, as well as other types of facilities. The building in lower middle section of the picture is the maintenance building. Geothermal and electric is used for heating the competitive pool. The facility has a 40 foot tower and 2 slides that go into the lazy river. The lazy river is 1,000 feet and the splash area is 7,400 square foot. Chairman Bryant questioned if recreational users are allowed access to the pool when nothing else is taking place. Mr. Couillard advised that they would use the 25 yard pool. The cabanas, big rental facilities and some of the other shade structures are back in the

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corner and have daily rental fees of roughly $90 a day. He stated that is not a level the Board would consider for Marion County. Mr. Couillard noted pavilions at county parks are rented for $35 a day and the cost must be affordable in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. The Sailfish Splash Waterpark is a 13 acre site, which includes parking, stormwater and other infrastructure. The next steps in this endeavor: 1) find an appropriate public location or acquire a private site; 2) determine the right size of amenities that the community can support; 3) design and obtain permits; 4) determine the funding for construction and initial operation; 5) hire staff; and 6) construct the facility (slide 33). Commissioner Gold out at 9:29 a.m. Slide 34 addresses the pros and cons of having the facility at the Ocala Regional Sportsplex. Staff has reviewed the site and a pro is the location is publicly owned and has space, but a big con is it is removed from a majority of swimmers and is very isolated. There is only 1 high school within 5 miles of the site. Staff has had several conversations with City of Ocala staff and it is not something they are interested in at this time. Commissioner Gold returned at 9:30 a.m. Slide 35 addresses a Private Site, which is the smallest site staff has considered. The site is on SR 40 near Interstate 75 (1-75). Staff has done a cross section across the City of Ocala from Ocala West all the way through to Baseline. This site is 7.3 acres, has a high noise condition and poor demographics to support the water play. Slide 36 addresses the McPherson Complex. Some of the challenges to the McPherson Complex are poor soil, heavy clays, sloped conditions and some constraints with the purchase lease of the facility as to what can and cannot be done. Slide 37 addresses Shocker Park. There is 80 acres at this location, which includes the wooded area on the east side between Maplewood Elementary and the softball complex, power line corridor and 23 acres on the western side. Shocker Park is one of the more desirable sites, first and foremost because the county already owns the property. A challenge with this site is what to do with the large animals. The county has the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion (SELP) and in speaking with the manager the county can use parts of that facility. The staff at SELP are trained and deal with large animals on a daily basis. The cons to this site is it is located next to a waste water treatment facility on the other side of the street, which smells when it is not working correctly. Staff could speak with the City of Ocala about preventative measures similar to what was done at the waste water treatment facility on North Pine Avenue; relocation of the animals and potential neighbor conflicts. Slide 38 addresses a site in the Silver Springs Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), which was chosen because it is the largest and is not officially a State Park, but is in the Silver Springs conservation area. Some of the major challenges are the site has the conservation classification, which is governed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and in order for that classification to be removed the state will have to surplus the land. When the state considers the land surplus they do not just hand it over to the county; it will have to go out to bid and if it is unclassified every developer in the neighborhood is going to put in a bid. The chances of the county being competitive is fairly slim. The Board could consider a long term lease, but leases and other types of amendments usually come with a lot of caveats. The biggest problem with sites in this area is a timeframe issue. Other cons are the poor demographics of this location, it is removed from the swimmer base and the biggest constraint is the conservation classification.

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Slide 39 addresses a state-owned site, which is part of the Cross Florida Greenway and also has a conservation classification. All 4 corners of land at the intersection of Baseline and Maricamp are owned by the state. Some of the most expensive land in Marion County is considered conservation, including the inmate work farm and the Rotary Sportsplex. This site is a similar challenge, but has more benefits to it than the Silver Springs area. The land is publicly owned and is 54 acres. There are great demographics and it is directly adjacent to the Rotary Sportsplex. Slide 40 addresses a privately-owned property. Staff is working with the private sector to determine what it would take to acquire some of the parcels. The site is directly adjacent to Rotary Sportsplex and is approximately 17.5 acres. The piece of land within the red dotted lines is owned by the state and staff would entertain speaking with them about deeding it over to the county on a permanent basis. There is a bit of a pinch point in this site where there is approximately 100 feet width that the county could build a pool an aquatic center on 2 different parcels and have a connector roadway through them. Mr. Couillard opined that this would be tremendously popular because of the proximity to Rotary Sportsplex. Visitors here for a state tournament would not have to go back to their hotel and could just walk across to the facility. In response to Chairman Bryant, Mr. Couillard advised that these sites are all privately owned; the county has looked at access off of Maricamp and how staff can help mitigate and straighten out some things at the Rotary Sportsplex. There is a bit of a challenge when exiting the Sportsplex and the Department of Transportation (DOT) plans on making that a right-out and a left-in, type of entrance on those controlled access intersections, which was supposed to have been completed by December, 2017, but the county has not yet seen survey stakes. The county is unaware of the status of the intersection change. He commented on some of the different plans for the property that never came to fruition that included realignment of the intersection. Staff is currently working on site concepts now to see how everything will fit. Chairman Bryant questioned whether the 2 pools would be in different areas. Mr. Couillard stated those pools will be close together and be the tournament facility. There will be separate parking areas for both facilities. The water park play area will be in one area and the competitive pool in another area, which will be connected by a nicely designed road. Slide 41 addresses the timeline. For a seamless transition from the CF pool closing in December 2019 staff would like to have a new facility open by January, 2020. The estimated construction time is 11 months, bid/contracts 2 months, and design/permitting is estimated at 6 months. The process would start in June, 2018, which is realistic based on known build, permitting and design times. The county could have things done quicker, but would have to spend more money. Slide 42 addresses the right fit for Marion county. Once the right site is determined, the right size and best features for our community, as well as place in the market need to be determined. There are a couple of options: 1) issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire an aquatics consultant; 2) enter into an agreement through an existing contract; or 3) issue a Change Order to Johnson Consulting to include this research. Mr. Couillard expressed support for Option 2. In response to Commissioner Gold, Mr. Couillard advised that Johnson Consulting is the firm the VCB is using for the multi-use convention center. He advised that county staff prepared the site plans and the convention center was not included in the thought process.

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Mr. Couillard clarified that having a convention center with a competitive pool and water play area is a whole different model than what is being presented today. The model that the county is considering is first getting the competitive pool replaced in a quick timeframe and making a sustainable operation. By using the hybrid approach with a pool and water play area, and similar amenities to Martin County's facility the county can complete the project a lot quicker. Commissioner Gold stated when the consulting was done for the convention center Commissioners were able to provide input and questioned if staff was looking to tag the aquatic center onto the convention center project. Tourist Development Executive Director Loretta Shaffer, VCB, advised that conversations took place between VCB, Parks & Recreation, and Johnson Consulting to further discuss overarching the project in general. Commissioner Gold stated the firm did a lot of work in the county and might be familiar with the area already, noting they looked at Silver Springs and a couple of other places. In response to Commissioner Moore, Mr. Couillard advised that there are some firms in town that may have something within their scope of work that the county could roll this into. The county has used firms like Kimley-Horn and Tillman & Associates Engineering for Park work. Commissioner Moore expressed support for employing people locally. Chairman Bryant clarified using an existing firm would be Option 2. The Board would not have to put them out to bid because there are already existing contracts in place. Mr. Couillard concurred. Commissioner Zalak stated from what has been seen so far Johnson Consulting has been good at putting the cost feasibility analysis together. The county can have them work with a local firm if the county gets into design and staff should be able to explore both options. He stated the Board previously discussed having a hotel next to the convention center to assist with operating costs. Other folks have good recreational type or visitor type amenities next to convention centers in other places. It could be good to have a consultant evaluate if having a pool and recreation center on one side of town and a convention center and hotel on the other will work; does the fundamental financial model still work and is it good for both tourism and the local economy. Chairman Bryant stated it is a good idea to have the consultants look at that, but if the Board adds that element of incorporating the aquatic center into the convention center, then the whole operation is brought to another level. She noted they are talking about trying to make this be a dual center where it will support the community, visitors and tourist. Commissioner Zalak spoke to the need of finding the right hotel partner for a successful water park. He advised that he wanted to ensure the two would not affect each other financially. In response to Commissioner Gold, Mr. Couillard advised that there will be a cost difference if Johnson Consulting is chosen. Slide 43 addresses funding. Based on reviews of existing facilities, a reasonable expectation for construction cost is in the $15,000,000 range. Mr. Couillard advised that Finance Director John Garri and Budget Director Michael Tomich are present today to discuss municipal bonding. Finance Director John Garri advised that he has spoken with Jay Glover, Public Financial Management (PFM), the county's financial advisor, who would be the pivotal person for all of this. Staff is transmitting some of the information, but unfortunately rates are

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increasing. Mr. Glover created a scenario using a 3.9 percent (%) interest rate. The County would borrow $15,000,000 and the average debt service would be $1,100,000. The county would probably use a bank loan not a bond. An RFP would be issued and query local banks to get the best deal. Security would be required for the bond and the county will have to have a way to pay back this debt service. Normally the county pledges the non-ad valorem sources within the General Fund and then use the General Fund to make the annual debt service payment. Commissioner Stone asked if 3.9% was the annual rate. Mr. Garri advised that Mr. Glover used that figure, but when the RFP is issued it will tell the county what kind of rate they will receive. There will also be some closing and bond council costs. In response to Commissioner Stone, Mr. Couillard stated the cost proposed includes $1,000,000 for land acquisition. The complex will be between $12,000,000 and $14,000,000. Staff used the Martin County model, but is unsure whether that is too big or too small and will have to lean on the aquatic experts to advise. Slide 44 addresses operational funding. Commissioner Moore questioned how much the facility will cost on a recurring basis, on top of the debt service. Mr. Couillard advised that the Martin County operation has 4 full time equivalents (FTEs) and bring in seasonal staff every summer. The actual operating cost is $677,750. The day the water park opened they were in the black; however it took a few years for the competitive side to actually start paying for itself, but the water park supplemented the operation until that time. Currently, the facility brings in $1,400,000 annually in revenue. The figures for Marion County will be determined by a professional aquatic person. Commissioner Gold asked if the Board committed they are in favor of the project to the President of CF and if the school could pull the hard destruction timeline for the pool. Chairman Bryant advised that she had a conversation in the past with the CF President and will have another one. What the school wants to see is a plan, and as long as they know there is a plan they will work with the county. Mr. Couillard concurred and noted if there is a positive motion towards pursuing the project it will open the opportunity for private contributions. Chairman Bryant commented on a facility in town that had a major private contributor, because the facility was named after them and questioned how that works. Mr. Couillard advised that Policy 14-02 addresses the naming and renaming of county properties. While reviewing the overall sponsorship program staff considered streamlining that policy somewhat. The Board has the ability to waive the policy on a case-by-case basis. Chairman Bryant stated there are several different entities that have a major commitment and this project will also be for them and those entities could be willing to put forth fundraising efforts. Mr. Couillard concurred and stated it does not have to be half of the fee to build the complex to get their name on the front. The next step down would be the individual naming of components within the facility. Depot Park in Gainesville has each pavilion named after a different bank that funded the pavilion. Commissioner Zalak questioned the length of the loan. Mr. Garri stated the loan is for 20 years. In response to Commissioner Zalak, Mr. Couillard advised that the cost will depend on what the consultants bring back to the Board. The Martin County facility was $10,000,000, but Marion County is considering increases and including some flexibility in this number so staff does not have to go to the well too many times. The goal is to get it done and get it done right the first time.

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Commissioner Zalak opined that the county should try to raise a couple million dollars in the community to help support the pool. He stated the School Board has impact fee construction funds that have been available in the past and questioned if those funds could be used for this project for at least the competitive side, since the pool will be hosting a lot of high school children and teams. Chairman Bryant concurred. Slide 45 addresses questions staff has for the Board. Chairman Bryant advised that before the Board moves forward with questions she will open the floor to public comment. Albert Peek, SE Broadway Street, commended Mr. Couillard and staff for the work done, as well as the BCC for considering the project. Chairman Bryant advised that public comment is now closed.

BOARD DISCUSSION: Commissioner Gold questioned the current revenue brought in by the CF pool. Mr. Couillard stated CF's revenue is approximately $160,000 annually. Commissioner Gold advised that the best thing the county can do is add the waterpark. The water park is not just a pool; and the lazy river can address some of the training needs of first responders, noting currently hundreds of military personnel and others who do training locally are sent to Tampa. The river part can be used for swift water rescue. Chairman Bryant stated it is clear the Board wants to pursue an aquatic center for the community, but as far as the options for using aquatics consultants she is in favor of using the best available and whatever option is best for this project. This is going to be a substantial commitment and investment in the community that will hopefully be here for generations to come. She advised that she is in favor of the private site next to the Rotary Sportsplex first, if staff can make that site work, because of the logistics of where it is located or one of the other sites close to the Rotary Sportsplex. Shocker Park is great, except for the water treatment plant sitting across from the park. Commissioner Gold stated it is hard for people from outside the area to find Shocker Park and the road will not support the traffic. Commissioner Stone expressed support for considering the state land on Baseline and possibly getting a strip that will connect the Rotary Sportsplex without having to purchase the other 17 acres. Chairman Bryant directed staff to consider both locations. The one site might not work because of the odd shape and if that does not work the county has the other. In response to Commissioner Zalak, Mr. Couillard advised that he does not know how many acres there is in front of the Rotary Sportsplex.The FDOT basin is huge and staff has always wanted to fill it in and expand the Babe Ruth fields to have 4 fields there, but that is far reaching. Staff would be glad to explore the open space. Commissioner Zalak stated instead of splitting the facility it would be better to buy some land somewhere else. If the water park is on Maricamp it is a home run. Mr. Couillard concurred and advised that it goes back into the conservation classification. Removing ball fields and fencing to revert the land back to whatever it was before is deemed okay, but demolishing a pool and aquatic center, if that ever happened, is a bit more. Staff can bring back options to the Board. The county will be displacing more of the School Boards athletes who use those fields (e.i., flag football and lacrosse). Commissioner Zalak advised that those are a whole lot easier to supplement than putting a pool somewhere else. Mr. Couillard concurred.

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Commissioner Zalak stated the facility will be used as a community marker and a place to drive the community and visitors. If it is put in the back the county is missing opportunities. It was the general consensus of the Board for the facility to be located on Maricamp on one of the 2 sites presented. Chairman Bryant directed staff to bring the Board back a plan. As far as options for funding there needs to be a plan, the Board needs to know how much it is going to cost and then a measure needs to be set at which the Board wants to see community involvement. Commissioner Zalak stated staff needs to work with the community folks to assist. If the county can get in the $4,000,000 range between the School Board and private funding then it makes the project a lot more attainable for the county to drive down that $1,000,000 a year cost. Chairman Bryant advised that she will have to see what the numbers are before committing to that actual number. Commissioner Zalak stated at the end of the day the consultant is going to run the numbers and determine what the right size aquatic center is for the community. From there the Board will know what the revenue generation will be and how much from the private sector will be needed to fund the facility. Mr. Couillard advised that the Board has answered all of the questions staff needed to move forward. Commissioner Zalak stated Mr. Bouyounes will pick the best consultant to get the job done. Mr. Bouyounes questioned if the Board wants whatever consultant is used to evaluate the impact a water park with a convention center will have on the aquatic center. Chairman Bryant advised that the Board will need to know if there is going to be an impact if a water park is included with the convention center. If the county is going to commit to this project it needs to be the number one priority as far as water parks are concerned and then if it is feasible to add one to a convention center. Commissioner Zalak commented on the distance between the proximity of the proposed aquatic center sites and the convention center sites. Mr. Couillard advised that the aquatic center should be a public facility. General discussion ensued. Chairman Bryant stated whoever does the number and the feasibility on this project will have to ensure it is done right. What kind of revenue will be generated every year and what it will actually cost annually is very important. Commissioner Zalak opined that when the project is in the design phase then the county should be using local folks and the local Construction Manager (CM) process. Mr. Bouyounes advised that the ultimate goal from the Board is to ensure the facility is self-supporting.

CLOSING COMMENTS: Chairman Bryant thanked staff for a very well put together presentation. In response to Commissioner Zalak, Mr. Couillard advised that a draft proposal can be brought back to the Board within 90 days. Mr. Bouyounes stated staff will address the Board again in either May or June, 2018.

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There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting thereupon adjourned at 10:07 a.m.

Kathy Bryan' Chairman

Attest:

David R. Ells rmann, Clerk

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