Council hears pool update

The Guttenberg city council, meeting in special session for a budget workshop on Jan. 16, heard an update from the Guttenberg pool committee.

Jesssica Cline first presented an overview of the pool's history and the committee's work with its consultant, Burbach Aquatics, Inc.

Committee member MJ Smith then presented details on the committee's plan for a pool and pool house, and received unanimous council approval for the following seven committee recommendations:

•The new pool will be located at the existing pool site.

•The project will be funded by a major capital campaign, in-kind donations of building material and volunteer labor, and bond sales.

•A "capital campaign cabinet"  will be established so that fundraising can begin.

•Burbach Aquatics, Inc. is authorized to assist with the capital campaign.

•Construction is tentatively set to begin on or about Aug. 25, 2018, so that the new Guttenberg swimming pool can be open for public use during the summer of 2019.

•The council authorized the committee to conduct several open house events around town for all interested residents to attend.

•The Guttenberg Swimming Pool Committee is authorized to continue to be proactive throughout the building of the new municipal swimming pool, until the facility is ready to open.

The total cost of the project has yet to be determined. 

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In other business, the council reviewed numerous budget catagories: local option (street repairs), road use, water, storm sewer, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), debt service, miscellaneous funds, cemetery, capital reserve, river front and trust and agency (FICA, IPERS, health insurance and workers compensation insurance) as well as some of the general fund budgets.  

The council was scheduled to meet Jan. 23 to review the library, police, fire department, sewer and electric funds.    

Tim White was approved as a member of the Guttenberg Volunteer Fire Department. — Taken from meeting minutes, edited by Shelia Tomkins