City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton presented some highlights from a preliminary report on the condition of the swimming pool at the council’s October 6 meeting.
Burbach Aquatics, Inc. looked at the main pool, wading pool, piping, decking, and bath house. This feasibility report had just been received this day. It was recommended to have the main pool vessel tested. Piping and the main drainpipe were found to be undersized.
The wading pool is in poor condition and not ADA compliant. It was recommended to remove it and replace it.
The bathhouse wood structure is rotten, has narrow openings, and is not ADA compliant. It was recommended to tear it down and do a complete replacement.
The decking has trip hazards and chipping. It was recommended to tear it out and to replace it. Decking equipment, lifeguard stands, and the diving board are in poor condition. The recommendation was to do a complete replacement.
The Park Board met before the council meeting and discussed getting a structural assessment of the main pool. It is estimated to cost over $3 million to replace/repair the wading pool, bathhouse, decking, and pipe network. To entirely replace the whole pool and structures is estimated to cost $6 million.
Throckmorton said this preliminary report is just the first step. Councilman Steve Hall said either way this is a big project, “We will have to let the city decide.” Throckmorton suggested they will need to bond either way; there will have to be a referendum. Councilman Charles Sparks insisted we need to find out if the main pool is restorable. Councilman Dean Aug maintained it is good to have a place where people can learn to swim. Mayor Kurt Reicks agreed that swimming lessons are very important.
The availability of grant funding came up; Throckmorton said no grant funding is available for swimming pools.
Other Business in Brief
- Nick Thouin, Stephanie Thouin, and Suzanne Gardner (Lucky Mud LLC) applied for a Small Cities Development Local Program for commercial or rental rehabilitation. The building at 132 St. Anthony Street S., (former Trout City Brewing )location is in need of a new roof. The building is estimated to be 136 years old. The loan request is for $6,400. The total cost of the reroof project is to be $36,864. The balance will be paid for with private funding. The loan will be forgivable after five years of ownership. The loan was approved as recommended by the EDA.
- City Attorney Joe O’Koren recommended the purchase of a $90,000 Owner’s Title Insurance Policy for the city’s purchase of the property at 308 Pleasant St. SE. The insurance will cover any issue with the title previous to the city owning the property that the city may be unaware of. The policy will have a one-time cost of $360 which will be paid at closing. The policy will be good as long as the city owns the property.
- The city office’s three-year phone contract with Central Telephone Sales and Service was renewed. The monthly recurring total cost is $108.
- Approval was granted for a temporary closure of Fillmore Street E. parking lot (behind Preston Eye Clinic) for Trunk or Treating on October 31 from 1 – 5 p.m.
- Hall reported that more than 225 people attended the open house for the Depot Museum & Riverfront Center this last Saturday.
- There will be a joint meeting of the city council and the planning commission on October 20 at 5 p.m.
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