Mayor proposes agreement to prevent egregious spending, Council punts

04/29/2025 by

Former Gonzales CAO points fingers on social media (Apil 1)

Liberty Fence & Supply’s tentacles extended into every nook and cranny of Gonzales’ municipal operations in 2024, its invoices extended even to Jambalaya Park and the city pool to the tune of $167,000 (according to a Vendor Report discussed at the March 31 meeting of the City Council).   Mayor Tim Riley’s administration added an agenda item to Monday’s meeting to remedy those seemingly egregious expenditures.  Riley is “committed to eliminating all wasteful expenditures in the City of Gonzales.”

It remains to be seen if certain elected officials on the City Council share Mayor Riley’s commitment.

The subject agenda item, Approval of Pool Management Agreement between the City of Gonzales and SELA Aquatics, would extend a longstanding agreement between the parties whereby SELA operates the city pool.  It would also, and this is the cost-saving measure, add a provision “to address waste and ensure accountability.”

Councilwoman Terri Lambert moved to table the item, claiming “I’d like to see the old contract first.”  Her motion received the necessary three votes, and the item was tabled until the May 12 council meeting.

All five council members were emailed an electronic version of the contract by the administration on April 8, with the explanation:

“Given the astronomical cost incurred by engaging Liberty Fence & Supply to perform maintenance for the swimming pool, Mayor Riley asked SELA Aquatics to propose an agreement whereby it would take over said maintenance and continued pool operation.

Attached you will find SELA’s proposal for your consideration.  The mayor would appreciate any feedback you might care to offer as he decides whether or not to recommend the SELA proposal for your approval.”

Three weeks later and Mayor Riley is still waiting.

Among the few significant changes to SELA’s existing agreement is the addition of:

Equipment and Capital Costs. Capital Expenses and equipment expenses required to operate the facility shall be the responsibility of the Customer, i.e. the City of Gonzales.  (Pumps, electrical, filters, sand, plumbing, plaster, grates, etc.).  In the event of an equipment failure, Company, i.e. SELA Aquatics has the authority to make repairs up to $2,000 (per incident) and invoice the Customer for timely payment.  For expenses greater than $2,000, the Company must get authorization from the Customer in writing.

A few dozen Liberty Fence pool invoices exceeded that cap in 2024.

  1. Remove existing damaged back flow preventer, replace with new (2/14/24) – $3,500
  2. Back flow pump repairs city pool, repair leak on back flow preventer (8/1/24) – $2,200
  3. City Pool, reroute Piping and Electrical (8/8/24) – $2,300
  4. Metal Canopies, Playground and Pool, treat/soft wash (8/19/24) – $6,200
  5. Canvas Canopies, Playground and Pool, treat/soft wash (8/19/24) – $6,500
  6. City Pool Pump, remove leaking pipes and flanges and replace (8/26/24) – $9,300
  7. Kids Spray, remove all mold, clean and pressure wash (8/27/24) – $4,300
  8. Baby Pool, replaced backwash parts to pool (9/16/24) – $6,000
  9. Kids Spray, replace valves and pipe (9/16/24) – $5,975
  10. Pool Main Pump, remove/replace sensor fitting (9/16/24) _ $10,000
  11. Kids Pool, replace cap/diagnostic pump/clean filter/valve problem (9/23/24) – $4,200
  12. Splash Pool, pump filter supply and install primer valve (11/5/24) – $4,925
  13. Splash Pool, remove pump from casing and replace propeller (11/5/24) – $5,150
  14. Baby Pool, remove control valve and replumb new line (11/5/24) – $5,800
  15. Replace burnt electrical box at pool (11/12/24) _ $9,500
  16. Baby Pool, remove and replace pump (11/12/24) – $8,100
  17. Emergency Call Out-electrical box at baby pool (11/12/24) – $4,000
  18. Splash Pad, electrical changeover (11/25/24) – $4,925
  19. Splash Pad, Electrical box/breakers/receptacles installation (11/25/24) – $4,400
  20. Splash Pad, Pull out old wire and run new, install breakers/receptacles and connect (11/25/24) – $4,475
  21. City Pool, lighting material for vandalized bathroom (12/2/24) – $2,850
  22. Emergency Call Out, replace 15″ hp pool motor seals and shaft bearing (12/30,24) – $16,000
  23. Emergency Call Out, Rebuild broken impeller and interior housing (12/30/24) – $11,700

It comes to $142,300 with several more related invoices added in for the $167,000 amount.

“As we continue to investigate previous events, my administration will take necessary measures to ensure that no amount is expended unnecessarily,” Mayor Riley explained after Monday’s meeting.  “The agreement with SELA Aquatics is one of those measures and I encourage the Council to approve it in two weeks.”

 

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