At the regular meeting of the Woodmen Hills Metro District Board of Directors on Oct. 25, the proposed rate increase for activities, which would start in 2013, was the topic of discussion.As reported in the October issue of The New Falcon Herald, Eddie Avedikian, parks and recreation manager; and program and activities director Kendal Zimmerman presented information about changing from the current punch card system to a flat rate system. The new system would fund recently-hired certified fitness instructors and the Child Watch Program.Under the new system, fitness and water aerobics would be combined into one monthly fee of $29 for residents and $39 for non-residents for unlimited use, Zimmerman said. It would separate the Child Watch program into its own entity, charging $49 per month for up to two hours per day, offering a discounted rate for additional children, she said.Resident Diane DeJong commented on the rate changes: ìThese rate increases are substantial and not reasonable.î DeJong said she and two of her three children utilize the programs on a regular basis; and, with the current punch card system, they pay between $30 and $50 per month. Under the new system, she said the amount would be $110.34.ìIf you compare that $30 to $50 now to the (proposed) $110, youíll lose my $30 to $50,î DeJong said. She said she could go to Meridian Ranch and use their facilities, but she would rather keep her money within Woodmen Hills. ìI want my money to stay here and not take it to Meridian Ranch, but if I have to pay $110 per month, I have no choice,î she said.Avedikian said that under the current system, from January to September 2012, the fitness program realized a 50 percent loss of revenue and the Child Watch program a 79 percent loss. The rate increases would counteract the losses and allow the programs to break even, he said.The board chose not to make a decision on the proposed rate changes at the meeting. President Keith Moulton said the board would take into consideration the comments and work with the residents to make a decision at the budget meeting Nov. 15.The board had planned to hold a town hall meeting Nov. 8 to present information on the districtís service plan and any amendments to it, said Evan Elsa, attorney for the district. However, that meeting has been canceled, and the service plan amendments have not been submitted to El Paso County for approval, Elsa said. The meeting will be held at the beginning of 2013.Gene Cozzolino, interim district manager, updated the board and attendees about progress on the construction of the Meridian Ranch lift station. He said the floor of the lift station has been poured, using 670 yards of concrete. The floor is 3 feet thick and located three stories below ground, he said. ìWeíve had our inspectors on site to make sure our interests are protected,î Cozzolino said.He also updated the board on the status of the Theriot tank repairs. The one-million-gallon water tank sprang a leak in May. Cozzolino said, at this time, the repairs are almost complete. ìThe floor is in, itís been welded, tested, and weíre waiting on the curing time of the paint,î he said.The next board meeting will be Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center West.
