Tonkawa’s city council has voted unanimously to direct the city manager to work with finance officers and the city attorney on financing options for constructing and financing a new municipal pool.
The city manager is to report his findings at the Sept. 17 meeting of the mayor and council.
Dawn Huff, leading member of the mayor’s adhoc pool committee, said an online survey revealed 55% considered the pool important individually and 60% important to the community. She said 93% were in favor of the zero entry pool.
The proposal is to redo the 80 year old concrete in the present pool and reduce the size from 11,200 square feet to 4,500 square feet.
Several in attendance spoke to the importance of a municipal pool.
Mike Shatz said “Every kid need to know how to swim. It’s a safety issue.”
Shelby Langston said “there’s nothing here for kids to do. New young people are starting to move in. There needs to be a reoslution to this issue.”
Terry Thompson said he favored an indoor pool, one that could be used year round.
Brian Bowling said Tonkawa needs to keep a positive outlook. “There are lots of young families moving back. We have clean, nice good schools. We need to invest in the future of our community, which is our young.”
Michelle Owen said “It’s a matter of the health and wellness of the community.”
Mary Allan agreed, “It’s about our children’s social and psychological health.”
Tyler Langston agreed.
In other action at the Aug. 20 meeting, Councilmen Jack Evans, Scott Klufa, Ken Smith, Glenn Cope and Stacy Burns:
-- Approved action on a $40,000 grant request to CDBG.
-- Approved the TAP project for sidewalk work from Main and Grand to Venture on the west side, 13 blocks of five foot wide sidewalk at a total cost of $490,000.
-- Approved the city’s share of the sidewalk project of $65,914.
-- Approved the Tonkawa Municipal Handbook regarding “Best Practices.”
-- Approved the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance group coverage for liability insurance policy for the city.
-- Approved required training for the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance recognition program and the resolution.
-- Approved an engineering agreement in the amount of $14,500 wth MKEC for 600 linel feet of new 8 inch sewer line extension.
-- Approved the financial report with the city have total cash of $7,829,399 with $6,049,624 in restricted and $1,779,775 unrestricted.
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