HAGERSTOWN — The City of Hagerstown will transfer the management of Claude M. Potterfield Pool to the YMCA.

The City Council voted 5-0 during a special session Tuesday to enter into a contract that will allow the YMCA to run the pool for the 2009 season.

Although the city’s financial obligation is not listed specifically in the contract, the city likely will pay the YMCA between $12,000 and $15,000, said Lewie Thomas, recreation facilities manager for the City of Hagerstown.

Thomas said after the special session that the pool needed new management because some of the employees who worked at the pool last year were accused of using drugs and alcohol.

At the time, the pool was being managed by the city.

“It was just something we felt we needed a little better organization out there,” Thomas said. “We needed tighter management at the pool.”

It also was alleged that some of the lifeguards weren’t certified properly by the American Red Cross.

Karen Meinelschmidt, aquatics director at the YMCA, said about 20 lifeguards will be hired to work at the pool this season, which begins Memorial Day weekend.

She said the YMCA will ensure that all of the lifeguards receive the proper certification.

“We will be there continuously,” Meinelschmidt said. “We don’t expect it to happen again.”

City Administrator Bruce Zimmerman said Monday that city officials investigated the allegations last year. That investigation, he said, did not include an alleged rape in August that police believe involved a male lifeguard and one of his female co-workers.

Only a few of the council members spoke up when they were asked after the meeting whether they thought the city employees who were associated with the pool last year should be disciplined.

Councilwoman Kelly S. Cromer said she didn’t think the council would be allowed to talk about the matter publicly.

Councilman Lewis C. Metzner supported the city staff, saying it was “capable.”