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Firm gets green light for new pool
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
The Keokuk City Council decided Thursday that Larkin Aquatics of Kansas City, Mo., could begin designing a new aquatics center for Keokuk.
The contract from Larkin did not arrive in time for the matter to be placed on the agenda, but council members believe a consensus vote could start the $10,000 to $12,000 preliminary phase.
“Once we give them the okay, we have to decide who we wish to be on the committee,” said Mayor David Gudgel. “There are going to be some exciting times in the next two weeks.”
Larkin will provide a committee profile recommendation.
After the council votes on the contract with Larkin at the Oct. 4 meeting, and presuming it approves the contract, the next step will be site analysis and site selection.
Once the pool site is determined, a preliminary design and estimate of construction costs will follow. Funding options will be researched along with the city's bonding capacity and a budget for the project will be determined.
Larkin will prepare a final design and site plan along with color sketches, organize construction permits and other documents, and start the construction bidding process.
Gudgel predicts Keokuk could have a new aquatics center in two years.
The city council began talking about extending the 35 mph speed zone on Main Street past River Hills Village after problems with the facility's drive were discussed.
River Hills Village is considering expanding by adding more independent living cottages, but a problem could arise with the facility's entrance-exit drive, Gudgel said.
The speed limit is 45 mph on Main Street at River Hills making it difficult for vehicles to safely turn left across northbound traffic.
The speed limit on Main Street is 25 mph throughout the “downtown” area until 16th and Main where it changes to 35 mph. The northbound 35 mph speed limit continues until the area between Hampton Inn and Becks, where it increases to 45 mph.
The northbound 45 mph speed limit extends on Main Street past the intersection with U.S. 61 where it increases to 55 mph. At 353rd Street the speed limit increases to 65 mph.
Concerns also were raised about traffic traveling at 55 mph in the area of McCredie Park, location of the city's Little League baseball field.
Police Chief Tom Crew will drive the route with someone in the Street Department and look at the areas where speeds change and sign placement.
In other business, council members:
n Approved an amendment to the nuisance ordinance to include outdoor feeding of cats and dogs that are “unlicensed and not under control of the owner.” The amendment does not apply to owned animals but says access to the owned animals' food and water must be controlled and limited to the owned cats and dogs.
n Rescinded the resolution setting a public hearing date concerning rezoning property for Roquette America at the industry's request.
n Agreed to allow Teri Inman to use Tolmie Park on Oct. 20 for a Family Fall Festival, proceeds to go to Shriner's Hospital, St. Louis. The festival will include food, games, prizes, face painting and tattoos, pumpkin decorating, gift basket auction, kiddies decorated bike contest and donation box for new toys.
n Agreed to the police department's First Stop Halloween celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. at the River City Mall and set that date as Keokuk's Beggars' Night.
n Approved the Keokuk High School homecoming parade route, which starts at 6 p.m. Thursday at the River City Mall, proceeds on Main Street to 17th Street to High Street, turns left on High and continues to Calvert Stadium. The council also will allow fireworks at Calvert during the game.
n Gave Jim Shuman of City of Christmas permission to use Rand Park for the City of Christmas light display. Shuman said last year more than 13,000 vehicles went through City of Christmas. If an average of four people were in each vehicle, around 52,000 people were at the park in the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The display will be taken down on Dec. 27.
n Heard Gudgel say bids for road work on Missouri Avenue have been received and are below the estimated cost.
n Were told by council member Roger Bryant that Roger MacDermott of A+ Home Improvements has offered to replace the disc golf course cement pads with regulation pads at cost. The city would like a bid.
n Approved applications for urban revitalization tax exemptions for Rick and Scarlett Andrews, Hilton Road, single family dwelling; Patricia Gates, Fulton Street, detached garage; Scott and Angelica Finch, South Sixth Street, single family dwelling; and Tony Clark Jr., Middle Road, attached garage.
n Approved a Class C liquor license for the Tee Pee, 17 N. Fourth St.
n Approved an application for a loan from the Revolving Loan Fund for Little Black Dress, 408 Main St.
n Agreed to buy $6,300 in unused rail materials from Osmose Railroad Services Inc. to use for future railroad repairs.
n Approved an application for a sidewalk display permit by Rent-A-Center, 1226 Main St.
The contract from Larkin did not arrive in time for the matter to be placed on the agenda, but council members believe a consensus vote could start the $10,000 to $12,000 preliminary phase.
“Once we give them the okay, we have to decide who we wish to be on the committee,” said Mayor David Gudgel. “There are going to be some exciting times in the next two weeks.”
Larkin will provide a committee profile recommendation.
After the council votes on the contract with Larkin at the Oct. 4 meeting, and presuming it approves the contract, the next step will be site analysis and site selection.
Once the pool site is determined, a preliminary design and estimate of construction costs will follow. Funding options will be researched along with the city's bonding capacity and a budget for the project will be determined.
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Gudgel predicts Keokuk could have a new aquatics center in two years.
The city council began talking about extending the 35 mph speed zone on Main Street past River Hills Village after problems with the facility's drive were discussed.
River Hills Village is considering expanding by adding more independent living cottages, but a problem could arise with the facility's entrance-exit drive, Gudgel said.
The speed limit is 45 mph on Main Street at River Hills making it difficult for vehicles to safely turn left across northbound traffic.
The speed limit on Main Street is 25 mph throughout the “downtown” area until 16th and Main where it changes to 35 mph. The northbound 35 mph speed limit continues until the area between Hampton Inn and Becks, where it increases to 45 mph.
The northbound 45 mph speed limit extends on Main Street past the intersection with U.S. 61 where it increases to 55 mph. At 353rd Street the speed limit increases to 65 mph.
Concerns also were raised about traffic traveling at 55 mph in the area of McCredie Park, location of the city's Little League baseball field.
Police Chief Tom Crew will drive the route with someone in the Street Department and look at the areas where speeds change and sign placement.
In other business, council members:
n Approved an amendment to the nuisance ordinance to include outdoor feeding of cats and dogs that are “unlicensed and not under control of the owner.” The amendment does not apply to owned animals but says access to the owned animals' food and water must be controlled and limited to the owned cats and dogs.
n Rescinded the resolution setting a public hearing date concerning rezoning property for Roquette America at the industry's request.
n Agreed to allow Teri Inman to use Tolmie Park on Oct. 20 for a Family Fall Festival, proceeds to go to Shriner's Hospital, St. Louis. The festival will include food, games, prizes, face painting and tattoos, pumpkin decorating, gift basket auction, kiddies decorated bike contest and donation box for new toys.
n Agreed to the police department's First Stop Halloween celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. at the River City Mall and set that date as Keokuk's Beggars' Night.
n Approved the Keokuk High School homecoming parade route, which starts at 6 p.m. Thursday at the River City Mall, proceeds on Main Street to 17th Street to High Street, turns left on High and continues to Calvert Stadium. The council also will allow fireworks at Calvert during the game.
n Gave Jim Shuman of City of Christmas permission to use Rand Park for the City of Christmas light display. Shuman said last year more than 13,000 vehicles went through City of Christmas. If an average of four people were in each vehicle, around 52,000 people were at the park in the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The display will be taken down on Dec. 27.
n Heard Gudgel say bids for road work on Missouri Avenue have been received and are below the estimated cost.
n Were told by council member Roger Bryant that Roger MacDermott of A+ Home Improvements has offered to replace the disc golf course cement pads with regulation pads at cost. The city would like a bid.
n Approved applications for urban revitalization tax exemptions for Rick and Scarlett Andrews, Hilton Road, single family dwelling; Patricia Gates, Fulton Street, detached garage; Scott and Angelica Finch, South Sixth Street, single family dwelling; and Tony Clark Jr., Middle Road, attached garage.
n Approved a Class C liquor license for the Tee Pee, 17 N. Fourth St.
n Approved an application for a loan from the Revolving Loan Fund for Little Black Dress, 408 Main St.
n Agreed to buy $6,300 in unused rail materials from Osmose Railroad Services Inc. to use for future railroad repairs.
n Approved an application for a sidewalk display permit by Rent-A-Center, 1226 Main St.
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