Wellington Council approves engineering service of Water’s Edge to lead in pool repair project
By Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow— The Wellington City Council has approved Water’s Edge Aquatic Design in Wichita to start engineering services for the major repairs at the Aquatic Center at its Tuesday meeting.
The estimated project cost has yet to be determined, but Wellington Public Works Director Jeremy Jones said it could cost city taxpayers in excess of $1.2 million. At Tuesday’s meeting, the council approved the engineering contract with Water’s Edge at $57,500.
The process will be in four phases starting this month, including determining the project’s scope, finalizing the plans, helping with bidding, and administrating the construction process.
Construction is estimated to start in September and end in May 2o25.
Council member Rick Roitman asked how much the pool has been leaking these past few weeks. Jones said it is leaking, but not at the rate it was last season when they had to delay the pool’s opening.
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In other council news:
•The city has received one application for the vacancy left by Wellington City Council member Jim Valentine, who recently passed as of last night’s meeting. The deadline is June 14.
In his report, Roitman said that when people apply to be on the city council, they must realize they will also be Land Bank board members.
Wellington council member Cindy Antonich responded that she would like to revisit that issue because she does not favor the Land Bank and what it stands for, although she is forced to be on the board. No action was taken.
•The council awarded APAC Inc. the contract to construct the East 16th pedestrian/bicycle trail project. According to the federal grant, the city of Wellington will pay 20 percent of the project, which results in $105,000. The project’s cost is $420,922.
•The council approved the purchase of a 2015 John Deer 310SLHL backhoe for $77,500.
•The council also approved the purchase of 60 poles for $38,434 from Stella-Jones in Tacoma, Wash.
•Street closings for fireworks/neighborhood cookouts on 18th St. from the alley between B and C Stree from 4 to 11:59 p.m. and the Kanokla 5K and one mile Wheat Run on July 13 were approved.
The landbank meeting was also held simultaneously with the regular meeting. That information will be presented in a separate story to be published shortly.
