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City asked to look at offering evening swimming lessons |
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Swimming pool hours was the topic of discussion for a portion of the April 14 Caledonia City Council meeting. Kelli Tornstrom brought the issue to the council, basically asking if evening hours could be extended to allow for evening swimming lessons.
According to Tornstrom, many working mothers find it difficult to make arrangements to get their children to the city’s swimming pool for morning lessons. Daycare providers can’t be expected to transport those clients who wish to take lessons. If lessons would be offered during the evening hours, as they are in Spring Grove, La Crescent, and Waukon, Tornstrom felt there would be enough interest to warrant a change in the current schedule.
Currently, swimming lessons are offered from 9 until noon during the week. The pool is closed from noon until 2 p.m. and open swimming is offered from 2 to 8 p.m.
“A number of parents I’ve talked to would like to see open swimming from 1 to 5 p.m. and lessons offered from 7 to 9 p.m.,” Tornstrom said. “I was a life guard and realize they need a break. By closing from five to seven, they could have their break. And by offering lessons from seven until nine p.m., parents could get home from work, have supper with their kids and then still have time to take them to the pool.
“We’re losing a lot of kids to other pools, especially Spring Grove. I really feel this would be one way to attract more business here,” Tornstrom added.
Mayor Mike Morey said he felt it would be best to talk to the Summer Rec staff before making any decisions. He will report back to the council at one of the upcoming meetings.
In other council action:
Concession stand awarded
“We had three applicants to operate the concession stand this year, but two of them lived outside the city and just one family lives in Caledonia,” City Administrator Bob Nelson said. “The family living in town has two older children who will help with the operations and I recommend we award the concession stand for this year to Mark and Debra Krause.”
The council unanimously approved Nelson’s recommendation.
Solicit bids for laptop
A recommendation was made by the City Recreation Committee to purchase a laptop computer to be used by the recreation director, according to Nelson.
“While I have no problem with having a laptop for partial use by the recreation director, I recommend the council clearly indicate the computer is for overall city use and available to other departments when not in use by the seasonal recreation staff,” Nelson noted in a memo to the council.
The council members agreed that a laptop would be something various departments could utilize, and instructed city staff to solicit bids.
Wireless Internet access
City Librarian Marla Burns recommended installation of an access point for wireless Internet at the city library. With more persons using portable laptops, the library has received additional requests for wireless service. The process would be overseen by SELCO, which would monitor the connection to assure proper firewalls. The access point would have a one time cost of $120. The first year fees would be $550 and subsequent years would have a maintenance and support fee of $195 annually.
“This seems like a lot of money for this,” Councilman Gary Klug noted. He wondered if SELCO would put blocks on the system so it could not be accessed from computers located in other parts of the city building.
A motion passed to go ahead with wireless Internet for the library with Klug dissenting.
Estimates accepted
The council approved the preliminary cost estimate provided by Davy Engineering to upgrade sewer and water services along Winnebago Street from Adam Street south to the Caledonia city limits. The county plans to rebuild this portion of CSAH 5, which is about 1,100 feet.
The estimate for the overall storm sewer and water project is $109,170, but the city would not be responsible for these full costs. The city would also be responsible for sidewalks, some curb and gutter and lighting.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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