Winfield City Council members reverse agreement with WARC

By TRISHA PHELPS

Mt. Pleasant News

WINFIELD ? The Winfield City Council voted to reverse the agreement that was made between the city and the Winfield Area Recreation Center (WARC) pool and golf course.

Last month the council voted to pay for the water for the first filling of the season and donate a lump sum of $5,000. At last night?s meeting, the council heard from James Bryant and Tim Davis from the WARC board, and voted to pay for all of the pool?s water and continue to donate $5,000.

According to city documents, paying for the first fill and donating the lump sum was what was agreed to for years past. However, it was discovered that since 2004 the water meters at the pool hadn?t been recorded.

?We discovered after we made the motion at the last meeting we couldn?t find any documentation that we weren?t going to charge for that additional water, so we sent a letter to the pool and golf course letting them know this would be happening,? said Mayor Chris Finnell. ?We wanted to give them the opportunity to address us and hear their side.?

City Clerk Angie Oepping estimated the cost to refill the pool for the summer would be between $300-$500 per month.

?We fill it up and then fill the little pool, which we have to replenish that because of kids getting out and then evaporation and everything,? said Davis. ?You?re probably losing 1,200 gallons just on that, but it really all depends on the sunshine.?

City Councilman Ryan Kinneberg brought a motion to the council to help the WARC as long as in turn the WARC helps out the city.

?I will make the motion we keep this agreement (of paying for all of the pool water and a $5,000 donation) in the hopes of being able to extend a few favors to the city for events here and there to have attractions for the city and other various events,? said Kinneberg. The motion passed unanimously, with Davis adding, ?Anything we can do to help the city and keep things going we will do.?

During the Mayor?s comments portion of the meeting, Finnell reminded everyone to clean up after their dogs when out for walks and to continue efforts to make yard look presentable.

?Summer is coming and I would like the residents of Winfield to work to get their properties looking nice and get our town looking good, pick up trash,? said Finnell. ?Also it is the responsibility of dog owners to take care of the dog waste that is created when you take your dog for a walk.?

The council also:

Agreed to sponsor Farrah Nelson for $50 to go to the National American Miss State competition.

Heard department updates from public works, library, police, clerk and animal control.

Was reminded that the drug drop off date will be April 26, and residents can take their old prescription medication to city hall to be disposed of.

Heard an update from Kiley Miller on the Mt. Pleasant Area Development Commission and Housing Needs Analysis.