First Week At Keota Pool Goes Great

KEOTA – During the June 3 meeting of the Keota City Council, City Clerk Alycia Horras explained that the first week of the Keota pool’s first season had gone great. Since the pool’s opening on May 25, the pool had sold 71 swim passes, bringing in $11,000 in revenue. The pool also had nine parties or rentals on the book, bringing in an additional $1,500 in revenue. 80 children were signed up for swim lessons and 24 adults were signed up for water aerobics. Horras stated that the pool had already made up 67% of its budget in revenue and would reach 85% after lessons fees were paid.

Councilman Mike Bender thanked Horras and the pool committee for all the work they had done. He stated that his eleven-year-old son loved the pool. He stated that the lifeguards were great at their jobs and that he’d seen them giving out sunscreen to kids. Councilman Matt Greiner stated the new pool was great because it gave towns an opportunity to get jobs.

The council discussed security for the upcoming Keota Fun Days. Bender explained the city had received bids from two Keokuk County Sheriff’s Deputies to provide security on both nights of the fundays, at a rate of $60 per hour. Bender said this is in line with normal deputy overtime rates and less than the city paid last year. The officers will work either 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. or 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., decided by the city. Bender stated that he believed two deputies will be enough and that the five the city hired last year were too many. The council approved giving the safety committee authority to hire and negotiate with the officers.

Mayor Tony Cansler stated that the city had rejected two applicants for the open part time police officer position. One application was from an officer with no experience. The other was from an officer requesting $90 per hour, which Cansler said was too much. Cansler stated he thinks the city should try and hire a qualified officer at a rate of $30 per hour.

The council approved hiring part-time librarian Ashley Greiner to clean city hall for $20 per hour. Horras stated she should work around 1.5 hours per week.