Keota Council Hires Pool Staff

KEOTA – During the April 15 meeting of the Keota City Council, the council approved hiring 16 lifeguards at a rate of $10 per hour and nine concession workers at a rate of $8 per hour. City Administrator Alycia Horras stated that both applicants for the manager position were outstanding and recommended the council hire both as co-managers; the council approved hiring Julie Gibson and Kaden Sprouse as co-managers at a rate of $15 per hour.

Horras stated that businesses have approached the pool board, offering to pay to sponsor free swim days at the pool. Horras stated that she did not want to deter people from purchasing pool passes and suggested businesses instead pay for walk-in gifts or concession food. Councilman Keith Conrad noted that the pool takes several hundred dollars to run for a single day and that free swims could cost the city money if priced too cheaply. He stated that weekends will get the most swimmers and that free swims shouldn’t be offered on weekends. Conrad noted that other types of promotions would be more appealing to kids, because kids will notice a free door prize but won’t notice their parent not having to pay one day.

Councilman Heath McDonald stated that the city needs to figure out how much the pool costs to run and how many kids come before day before they start offering free swims. Councilman Curt Burroughs suggested setting parameters, then letting the pool board arrange free swims. The council approved allowing the pool board to sell free swims, at a price where that covers operating costs. Only a single free swim per month will be allowed and not on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays during the first year.

The council discussed offering swim lessons at the new pool. Horras brought up the old swim lesson prices of $45. Conrad stated the old pricing was too high and drove families to get lessons at the Washington YMCA. Conrad stated the goal of swim lessons was to attract families to the pool. The council agreed to put the pool committee in charge of managing swim lessons and deciding prices, as long as they are competitive.

The council approved submitting Keota to apply for an Iowa Thriving Communities Designation. The prestigious designation, given out by the Iowa Finance Authority is given out to growing communities with less than 20,000 residents. The designation will help the city receive grants and attract developers, according to Horras.

Horras suggested starting a part-time internship program for high school students to work 5-10 hours a week at city hall, either for pay or for silver cord volunteering hours. Conrad stated this was a fantastic idea and an opportunity for students to learn civics and how to work in an office. McDonald noted that the high school is looking for work-study programs and that the internship could be done through the school. Mayor Cansler asked if the council also wanted to offer internships in the public works department. Burroughs suggested the city try out in-office internships first. Public Works Director Micah Harmsen noted that having a student work for the public works department could cause insurance issues. Burroughs stated he loved the idea and instructed Horras to put together a proposal for the next meeting.