The ordinance would effectively amend the Code of Ordinances by amending Chapter 6, entitled "Cemeteries, Parks and Recreation" by changing Article 11, Section 6-191, entitled "Fees" by adding Section 6-1 91 (A) providing authorization for the city manager to waive entrance fees to the Comanche Trail Park Municipal Swimming Pool.

The ordinance comes on the heels of a request from the local Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club for the city to waive admission fees to the pool for approximately 75 area youth participating in the charity's summer program on Fridays.

The council voted 5-2 to deny the request during its last meeting after the motion — made by Councilman Manuel Ramirez Jr. and seconded by Councilman Greg Biddison — was put to a vote following discussion that failed to yield a compromise on the issue.

According to Assistant City Manager Todd Darden, the ordinance won't have an immediate impact on the situation surrounding the Salvation Army's program, but could help address future requests.

“This will give Gary (Fuqua) the authority to reduce or waive the admission fee as he sees fit,” said Darden. “It doesn't necessarily address the request that was denied by the council, but it will give him the ability to decide what will be done.

“I've spoken to officials with the Boys & Girls Club, and they tell me they have made financial arrangements to secure the pool either way. Also, Councilman Ramirez has told me there have been donations made to make sure they can use the city pool, so one way or another those kids are going to get to swim.”

Darden said the city staff has also been comparing the way its pool is managed to other area cities, and have found very few differences.

“We've looked at Midland-Odessa, Snyder, Andrews and several other cities and their ordinances governing swimming pools,” said Darden. “The only difference we've found at this point is those other cities provide free admission for children under the age of 6 years and seniors over the age of 65. That's it.”

The municipal swimming pool isn't the only place Fuqua may have to govern swimming in the future, however, as the council will also consider first reading of ordinance that would also give the city manager the authority to allow swimming in Comanche Trail Lake under certain conditions.

The council will also consider bids for sludge removal at Phillips Pond Reservoir and permission to advertise for proposals for contract manager at risk for the Comanche Trail Golf Course Pro Shop.

Mayor Russ McEwen is also expected to make a proclamation during the meeting declaring June 10 "John Ontiveros and Gracie Acosta Day."

Ontiveros and Acosta — both Big Spring residents — won a 2008 Grammy while performing with three-time Grammy Award winning Tejano artist and band Little Joe y La Familia. According to information released by Ramirez and the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce, Ontiveros’ first recording experience on the band's newest album "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" landed him the award, as he played lead trumpet and arranged all the horn work on the album. Acosta is currently the second trumpet player for the Tejano band.

Ontiveros graduated from Big Spring High School in 2003; Howard College in 2004 and Angelo State University in 2007 with a music major. Acosta graduated from Big Spring High School in 2004 and Howard College in 2006.

The Chamber of Commerce and Howard College will be hosting a reception in honor of the pair Tuesday at the Hall Center for the Arts at 6:30 p.m.

The council meeting is expected to begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers, located at 307 E. Fourth Street.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it