Fall Update - November 2024
Newsletter brought to you by…
2023/2024 Barranca Mesa Pool Board Members
Please send an email to board@barrancapool.com if you are interested in joining the Board
• Jeremy Best…………….President
• Adam Rondinone....Vice President
• Amelia Epperson…....Employment
• Matt Hemphill……………...House
• Jennifer Martinez…….Membership
• Sarah Work……………...Secretary
• Jenn Best………………..Treasurer
November 2024 Annual Meeting
The Barranca Mesa Pool Association annual meeting will be held Monday November 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting will be held on zoom, link here.
Meeting ID: 751 8910 1649
Passcode: Lb1aPi
Annual Meeting Agenda
• Quorum check & approval of the minutes from the 2023 annual meeting.
• Brief reports from the President, Treasurer, House Manager, and Membership Chairs.
• Discussion of proposed 2025 Budget.
• Open discussion of any issues of interest or concern to Members.
President’s message
Happy Fall!
We had a very productive and successful season. Thankfully, we had very few capital expenses so we were
able to invest in new chairs and a new water fountain/filling station. The utilities and payroll are still challenging, but we are making it work for now.
The board is ready for more help--we have two vacant spots currently and we need members like you to consider joining the board to eventually replace those of us who have been doing this for awhile. Please consider joining us!
There are a few deferred maintenance considerations for next year such as concrete work and perhaps new pool vacuums. We are committed to investing in this pool to keep it vibrant and thriving to serve our community.
Thank you all for a great season and enjoy your winter. We will be hard at work preparing for next season.
Jeremy Best
President, BMPA
VP message
Proposed Change to BMPA Bylaws
The BMPA bylaws are a legal document which governs how BMPA must operate. Bylaws define the legal structure of the Association and dictate how the Association behaves (for example, membership structure). I suspect that most members don’t realize that the bylaws require that the Association hold an Annual Meeting the first Monday of every November, and that Annual Meeting is an opportunity for members to engage the board for ideas, concerns, or questions. The Annual Meeting is also the time when changes are put up for membership votes to approve or deny.
When BMPA was set up decades ago, direct personal participation was more common – members would usually attend the Annual Meeting. Today however, we get little attendance at the Annual Meeting because our members have a variety of other ways to engage the board, through email, Facebook, texts, etc that did not exist previously. This poses a challenge for the board, because changes to our bylaws (which are needed for BMPA to improve and evolve) require votes by the membership at the Annual Meeting.
In order to improve the BMPA and make it more responsive to member needs, the board will propose an adjustment to the Bylaws during our upcoming Annual Meeting on November 4, allowing explicitly for the use of electronic communications (such as email or authenticated surveys) to facilitate votes by our membership for future bylaw changes or other board actions which would require approval by membership. If you wish to support or oppose this change, then you will need to do so during our Annual Meeting. If approved, this will allow BMPA flexibility to engage the membership is a manner more appropriate for our time, making it more responsive to adapt to the current expectations of our members.
House Chair message
From an operations standpoint, we had a very good year at the pool. There were no major repairs necessary, and all the essential equipment remains in good working order. We did work through the typical stream of minor repairs that is expected with an ageing pool and ageing equipment. There are several areas that we continue to monitor and expect to need some substantial repairs in the coming years. The primary area of concern is the concrete deck surface which has experienced significant spalling and cracking. The shower valves are also well past their expected lifetime and will need full replacements in the near future.
We refreshed many areas of the building with a new coat of paint and will continue this effort next year. We resurfaced one diving board, and after some trial and error were able to get a good non-slip surface. We plan to resurface the high dive next year. We replaced our outdated water fountain with a modern fountain/bottle filler as well.
Maintaining the pool in good working condition continues to be a team effort and any capable hands are always appreciated.
Please feel free to reach out if you are interested in lending a hand as there is always something to be done. Thanks for a great year and I look forward to another great season next year.
Matt
Treasurer Chair message
Our fiscal year ended 30 September. Income was higher than budgeted ($170,283.06) while expenses were nearly as expected ($158,390.61).
News for 2025: Expenses should be about the same in 2025 as in 2024. We are budgeting for new chairs again this year and planning for other improvements (like patching and concrete work). The yearly assessment is $575 ($500 base assessment + $75 work deposit) if paid by 30 April. Beginning 1 May, the assessment is $600 ($525 base assessment + $75 work deposit). We appreciate everyone who helps to open and close the pool–it keeps costs down because we do not need to hire extra outside help. Your work deposit is refunded back to you when you volunteer 3-4 hours (or more, if you can!). You can participate in a work party, assist with various tasks that need to be done throughout the season (gardening, snack bar, etc.) or tackle projects around the pool. This is a community resource and it will take all of us members pulling together to keep it going!
Creative ideas are always appreciated; feel free to e-mail me directly (treasurer@barrancapool.com) or to the entire board (board@barrancapool.com). Our board is all volunteers and appreciate your patience if a response is requested.
:)
~Jenn Best
BMPA Treasurer
Employment Chair message
Another season has come to a close and BMPA once again had such great staff! Our managers, guards and basketroomers worked hard! They kept up on duties, provided amazing swim lessons, kept our patrons safe and made great connections with the staff, board members, and patrons. Recruitment for Summer 2025 employees will look a bit different. BMPA is lucky to have SO many of our staff that want to return next season! We welcome these experienced employees! Because of this, we will mostly be hiring for basketroomers and LIMITED guards beginning in December of 2024. Job applications will be posted on our website. Interviews will be conducted in February. Positions awarded will be determined by the interview, qualifications and if they have been previously employed by BMPA. All applicants must be 14 years old BEFORE the pool opens at the end of May. Those individuals seeking guard positions (age 15 and over) must complete and pass the Red Cross lifeguard training course by the time the pool opens.
The employment application will be posted on our website. Completed applications can be emailed
to employment@barrancapool.com
See you next season!
Amelia Epperson
Employment Chair
Membership Chair message
Thanks to all our members for continued support. Patrons continue to discuss our membership model, and we are discussing this, which would require a re-writing our by-laws.
This year, we were at 268 memberships sold. Revenue from memberships is what generates our ability to pay our guards, the majority of our expenditures. We continue to seek members to help cover operating costs and large payroll expenses.
Also, we plan to raise assessments in the 2025 summer season. This will help have the funds to continue to improve the pool and plan for upcoming capital expenses.
Secretarial message
Thanks for receiving our fall e-newsletter! This action has been taken to reduce costs.
However, if you know someone who prefers a paper newsletter, they can be made available upon request. Contact any board member to arrange receiving one.