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$4 million loan for aquatic center approved
| Keokuk High School students in Art Seller’s physics class met the annual challenge of constructing floatable rafts only with milk jugs, duct tape and plastic sheeting. Becca Allerman, Derek Nash, Evan Isaacs and Ollie Vandenberg get a successful start from shore. The classes tested their crafts in the Rand Park pond Wednesday morning. |
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
Keokuk City Council members said “aye” during a roll call vote that authorized a $4 million loan to build Keokuk a new municipal pool.
“The motion passes,” said mayor pro tem Susan Dunek. “Let's build a pool.”
The vote authorized the issuance of Urban Renewal Revenue Annual Appropriation Capital Loan Notes which will be paid off with tax incremental financing funds.
A hearing before the vote drew no public comments.
In earlier discussions, the city looked at a $3 million-plus price tag for the project, but the rising price of diesel fuel could play a role in possible cost overruns, according to Finance Committee Chair Doug Matlick.
The city council also has been looking at parking options, a Main Street entrance near Hampton Inn and a U-drive that would be more convenient for pool patrons.
Matlick said the project will not cause the city's tax rate to rise.
“The money to pay back the loan will be coming from the TIF area,” he said. “We consider the pool to be economic development.”
The Keokuk Aquatic Center will be built on the site of the former municipal pool in Tolmie Park. Demolition of the old structure could start as early as June.
The new aquatic center, with 9,413 square feet of water surface, zero depth entry, six 75-foot-long lap lanes with floatables; a plunge pool area with a 139-foot open flume slide and a 102-foot enclosed tube slide; a diving area with one- and three-meter diving boards; bathhouse and concession area, could be open for business on Memorial Day 2009.
The city council also authorized the Hoerner YMCA to salvage equipment from the old pool prior to demolition. However, council members decided City Park Director Gary Stepp should have first pick of anything on the list: lockers, pump motor, sump pump, metal doors and frames, toilets, toilet paper and towel dispensers, breaker boxes and chain link fence.
The city council also discussed the at-large seat vacated by former council member Bill Olmsted. Olmsted resigned to move overseas for a few years.
The city has five candidates to interview and must select an at-large member by June 10.
In other business, council members:
n Authorized an application for a State Revolving Fund loan for design and environmental information related to the combined sewer overflow project. The project is behind a month or so because of the continuing flood on the Mississippi River.
n Amended the city budget to reflect bond revenue changes, additional grant expenditures, the largest for the Lee County Narcotics Task Force, and cost changes in sewer projects. The public did not attend a hearing or provide input prior to the vote.
n Amended sewer fees to include schools and school properties.
n Approved an application by Geode, LLC (Krueger Brokerage) for a Downtown Urban Renewal tax increment financing rebate after the offices were remodeled.
n Authorized a grant application to assist in the development of new multi-family housing at Sixth and Morgan.
n Awarded a $20,072 contract to Hickey Construction to building a concrete wall at the car barn.
n Set 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, as the bid deadline for the 2008 street improvement project at Second Street from Bank to Carroll and 15th Street from Fulton to Orleans Avenue. A public hearing for the proposed plans and to award a contract will be at 7:30 p.m. June 5, at the council chambers in City Hall.
n Heard a citizen complaint about a vacant duplex on Concert Street inhabited by raccoons and other animals. Children in the area have been chased by the raccoons, a resident said. The building in question has been discussed by the city and is a matter of city focus, Dunek said.
n Appointed Chance Nye to the position of probationary firefighter third class.
n Approved applications for beer, liquor and wine for The Driftwood, Keokuk Labor Hall, Keokuk Yacht Club and IOCO gas station.
“The motion passes,” said mayor pro tem Susan Dunek. “Let's build a pool.”
The vote authorized the issuance of Urban Renewal Revenue Annual Appropriation Capital Loan Notes which will be paid off with tax incremental financing funds.
A hearing before the vote drew no public comments.
In earlier discussions, the city looked at a $3 million-plus price tag for the project, but the rising price of diesel fuel could play a role in possible cost overruns, according to Finance Committee Chair Doug Matlick.
The city council also has been looking at parking options, a Main Street entrance near Hampton Inn and a U-drive that would be more convenient for pool patrons.
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“The money to pay back the loan will be coming from the TIF area,” he said. “We consider the pool to be economic development.”
The Keokuk Aquatic Center will be built on the site of the former municipal pool in Tolmie Park. Demolition of the old structure could start as early as June.
The new aquatic center, with 9,413 square feet of water surface, zero depth entry, six 75-foot-long lap lanes with floatables; a plunge pool area with a 139-foot open flume slide and a 102-foot enclosed tube slide; a diving area with one- and three-meter diving boards; bathhouse and concession area, could be open for business on Memorial Day 2009.
The city council also authorized the Hoerner YMCA to salvage equipment from the old pool prior to demolition. However, council members decided City Park Director Gary Stepp should have first pick of anything on the list: lockers, pump motor, sump pump, metal doors and frames, toilets, toilet paper and towel dispensers, breaker boxes and chain link fence.
The city council also discussed the at-large seat vacated by former council member Bill Olmsted. Olmsted resigned to move overseas for a few years.
The city has five candidates to interview and must select an at-large member by June 10.
In other business, council members:
n Authorized an application for a State Revolving Fund loan for design and environmental information related to the combined sewer overflow project. The project is behind a month or so because of the continuing flood on the Mississippi River.
n Amended the city budget to reflect bond revenue changes, additional grant expenditures, the largest for the Lee County Narcotics Task Force, and cost changes in sewer projects. The public did not attend a hearing or provide input prior to the vote.
n Amended sewer fees to include schools and school properties.
n Approved an application by Geode, LLC (Krueger Brokerage) for a Downtown Urban Renewal tax increment financing rebate after the offices were remodeled.
n Authorized a grant application to assist in the development of new multi-family housing at Sixth and Morgan.
n Awarded a $20,072 contract to Hickey Construction to building a concrete wall at the car barn.
n Set 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, as the bid deadline for the 2008 street improvement project at Second Street from Bank to Carroll and 15th Street from Fulton to Orleans Avenue. A public hearing for the proposed plans and to award a contract will be at 7:30 p.m. June 5, at the council chambers in City Hall.
n Heard a citizen complaint about a vacant duplex on Concert Street inhabited by raccoons and other animals. Children in the area have been chased by the raccoons, a resident said. The building in question has been discussed by the city and is a matter of city focus, Dunek said.
n Appointed Chance Nye to the position of probationary firefighter third class.
n Approved applications for beer, liquor and wine for The Driftwood, Keokuk Labor Hall, Keokuk Yacht Club and IOCO gas station.
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