Bellefontaine got the ball rolling on a new municipal swimming hole as the city council during its regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 14, approved an ordinance that calls on the service/safety director and parks and recreation directors to open bids for the design and construction of a new pool to replace the Hoffman Pool, which has reached the end of its lifespan.
The ordinance was introduced for a first reading Tuesday, but the council waived the three-reading rule and went straight to adoption of the ordinance on an emergency basis with unanimous 7-0 votes on both procedures.
The emergency clause in the text of the ordinance will allow the city to immediately begin the process of receiving bids for the $750,000 project, dispensing with the customary 30-day waiting period between the passage and implementation of an ordinance.
Funding for the design and construction of a new municipal pool will come from the city’s Fund 430 – Recreation Improvements.
The council also waived the 48-hour notification rule on a resolution that removes a $725 tax lien the city had on a property the city’s west side, with both the waiver motion and resolution passing with unanimous votes.
Both Service/Safety Director Wes Dodds and City Engineer Jim Bischoff reported that the street paving program that is well underway and has been blessed with excellent weather for such work, with the approximately $750,000 project expected to be finished up by the end of next week, weather permitting.
Parks and Recreation Superintendent Kris Myers reported to council that his crews are pouring concrete for new playground equipment at Oakland Square Park and plans are underway to install new lights at that location soon. Myers also reminded council that the annual Ring of Lights is scheduled to take place at Blue Jacket Park from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, for ages pre-K through second-grade.
(Editor’s note: A previous online version of this story listed an incorrect location for the Ring of Lights.)
In other action, the council unanimously approved the appointments of Deb Baker and Kathy Dinovo to three-year terms on the Shade Tree Commission.
The Bellefontaine City Council is slated to meet again in regular session Tuesday , Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
