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Tuesday, 06 November 2007 |
Councilors approve legislation to open bids, move toward pool construction
By WILLIAM LANEY
Managing Editor
City administrators can move forward with a contract to demolish the existing Works Progress Administration (WPA) pool and to construct a new $1.4 million family aquatic center after legislation received Wapakoneta City Council member approval.
Councilors suspended the rules of three readings Monday and passed an ordinance authorizing Safety-Service Director Rex Katterheinrich to advertise for bids and to execute a construction agreement for labor, materials and equipment necessary to construct a new aquatic center and declaring an emergency.
Katterheinrich is instructed to work with Brandstetter Carroll Zofcin, a Lexington, Ky.-based aquatic facility planning firm, to develop the bids and drawings.
“I think we have to continue to go through these steps, and we are doing this as methodically and meticulously as we can to give people a great pool,” 4th Ward Councilor Rachel Barber said after Monday’s meeting. “The news we continue to receive from Brandstetter Carroll Zofcin is very positive and encouraging that we are going to have a great pool — on budget and on time.”
Barber said the Wapakoneta aquatic facility is reportedly the only facility being worked on this winter, and two construction companies are in dire need of work and would likely submit very competitive bids. She believes several of the alternate bid packages come in lower than expected.
Bids are tentatively scheduled to be opened Dec. 15.
As soon as a contract is awarded, demolition of the existing pool can start.
During Monday’s meeting, councilors voted 6-1 to suspend the rule of three readings, with 2nd Ward Councilor Dave Campbell voting against the suspension of rules. Councilors voted 7-0 in favor of the ordinance granting Katterheinrich the power to negotiate the contracts.
“I am very excited that the whole council supported getting out the bid documents,” 3rd Ward Councilor Bonnie Wurst said.
Barber, Wurst and Councilor-at-large Wilbur Wells are members of council’s Parks and Recreation Committee.
Barber, who chairs the committee, is also the chair of an Ad Hoc Pool Committee, which is comprised of area residents.
The Ad Hoc Pool Committee helped design the aquatic facility, which is comprised of approximately 5,400-square feet of water surface area for a play area, and 4,800-square feet of water surface area for an 8-lane, 25-meter lap pool. The existing pool is 4,200-square feet of water surface area.
Wells, who chairs the Finance Committee, announced at the beginning of Monday’s meeting, his committee members agreed to spend $1.33 million on the construction of the pool and $88,000 for engineering and design. Funds for construction and design are to come from the sale of Hauss-Helms Fund stock held in the Telephone Service Co. which was sold to Hanson Communications, of Clara City, Minn.
The remaining $700,000 is to be invested with interest dividends to continue to help fund the city recreation program. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 November 2007 )
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