City, school district plan affordable pool prices
4 or 5:30 p.m.: Public input wanted for council meeting time
Staff reporter
Like a "miniature YMCA" was how school and city officials described the new indoor pool and gymnasium complex.
Both the Marion City Council and USD 408 board of education want residents and patrons to enjoy the new indoor swimming pool, so both groups were in agreement Monday afternoon that pool prices must be affordable.
Originally, the entities were looking at a price break only for city residents. At Monday's Marion City Council meeting, USD 408 Superintendent Lee Leiker said the board of education would rather support a price break for USD 408 patrons — those living within the Marion-Florence school district.
In the end, representatives of the board of education, Keith Collett and Sarah Cope, Leiker, and the city council agreed that one annual rate for single memberships and family memberships would make bookkeeping easier. The groups discussed how pool employees would determine if someone lived within the school district. It also was mentioned that some students live outside of the school district but come to Marion to school.
The rates that were discussed and appeared to be supported were $2 per day, $225 per year for individuals, and $375 per year for families.
There also was a four-month rate proposed of $75 for individuals and $125 for families.
The pool could be rented for a minimum of one hour and a maximum of three hours.
The entities agreed on the following rates: for the pool only, the rate would be $60 per hour and it would include one lifeguard. For the pool and slide, the rate would be $75 per hour and would include two lifeguards. For the pool, slide, and splash pad, the rate would be $90 per hour and would include three lifeguards.
Some organized pool activities could include lap swimming, water aerobics, physical therapy through the local hospital, an adults only swim, and family night swim.
Leiker said a walking track above the gymnasium floor also will be available year-round.
At one time, school officials had talked about a fitness center but Leiker said at this point, there is not one in the works.
The concessions area for the pool will be open daily during the summer but Leiker wasn't sure of the schedule.
"We'll try different things," Leiker said. "Some will be successful, some won't. We'll be innovative and incorporate new ideas."
Mayor Mary Olson asked if there will be any free passes. Leiker responded there will not.
The school district is providing an interest-free loan to the City of Marion and the city is paying the school district $100,000 per year for 18 years. At that time, the school district's bond issue will be paid and the city will own the pool.
The opening of the pool is anticipated May 20, Leiker said.
In other business:
— The council approved the opening of a temporary checking account at Central National Bank for the deposit of funds from the Community Development Block Grant which will be used to pay for some of the costs of the street projects on Eisenhower Drive and North Cedar Street.
Olson asked for a time-line from the engineers regarding the two street projects.
— A payment of $15,050 to Hett Construction for a city-leased building at the industrial park to Arlie's Inc.
— Councilman Bill Holdeman made a motion to move the council's meeting time from 4 p.m. back to 5:30 p.m. He said he wanted the later time so more constituents could attend the meetings. Olson seconded the motion and asked for discussion. Councilman Gene Winkler said when the meetings were held at 5:30 p.m., the people who attended could have come if the meetings were at 4 p.m., which is why he was in favor of keeping the meeting time at 4 p.m. He added that the council moved the meeting time to the earlier time to include department heads.
Councilman Stacey Collett said he had it arranged with his supervisor to be able to attend the earlier meeting time. For newly-elected councilman Steven Smith, he said the later time would be better for him but would continue to do his best to be available for the earlier meeting time.
The council decided it wanted public input and tabled the decision until the next meeting.
— Olson reminded the council that its responsibility is to keep the public informed through open meetings. Holdeman commented that the Newton City Council had secret ballots at a recent meeting and still supported the use of secret ballots. Olson responded that the Newton council was voting on something "unusual" but secret ballots shouldn't be used on a regular basis.
"We are elected to vote openly. It should be public knowledge how each of us votes," Winkler said.
Olson continued that she wanted the city administrator to inform the entire council of issues and concerns instead of telling each council member one at a time. So she suggested more work sessions. Council members could determine if they wanted to attend any or all, and the sessions would be open to the public.
— Later in the meeting, Holdeman read a statement that the city council had not accomplished much and he was ready for the council to move forward and get things done.
— Jane O'Connor was re-appointed to Marion City Library board for a three-year term. Phyllis Kreutziger was appointed for a three-year term to the board.
— It was announced that Tim Makovec had been hired as the city's cemetery sexton.
— The council entered a 10-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege with city attorney Dan Baldwin and city administrator David Mayfield. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— A second executive session for attorney-client privilege was held with the same personnel for a total of 45 minutes. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— A 15-minute executive session was called for personnel with Mayfield and Baldwin. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The next council meeting is at 5:30 p.m. May 5 at the city building.
