City sets special meeting to discuss pool manager

MARENGO — The Marengo City Council declined to accept City Administrator Karla Marck’s recommendation for pool manager during its regular meeting Wednesday.

The city council set a special meeting for Tuesday, March 4 at 6 p.m. to continue discussions to fill the position.

Marck recommended last week that the council approve Shawn Huedepohl to manage the new pool in its first year even though he doesn’t have a certification that would allow him to train lifeguards.

Councilman Travis Schlabach said he trusted Marck’s opinion and moved to accept the recommendation. He and Councilman Bill Kreis voted in favor of Huedepohl; Councilman John Hinshaw and Councilwoman Jenni Olson voted no.

Councilwoman Karen Wayson-Kisling was absent.

Though other applicants had aquatic certification, Marck felt that Huedepohl had the strongest leadership skills. “I think he’s going to provide a solid base for us,” said Marck.

Huedepohl’s references said he’d be great, that the kids will want to work for him and that he’ll have the ability to tell kids to put their phones down, said Marck.

Huedepohl has had experience dealing with irate parents and can resolve conflicts, Marck said. He is CPR trained but is not a certified lifeguard.

Marck said the city had been spoiled by having John and Holly Hinshaw as their pool managers when the old pool was open, but finding another person with leadership abilities as well as aquatic certifications is not easy.

Marck said Huedepohl is willing to get the aquatic training. She’s more concerned about finding someone who can manage the operations, she said.

Hinshaw said he didn’t like the recommendation at all. He held up the job description which says the pool manager should have lifeguard certification. It’s the description the council agreed on, he said.

Marck said not everything listed in the description was essential and that aquatic certification was optional. Huedepohl could have his head lifeguard do the training, she said.

Hinshaw said Holly had offered her consulting services to the pool, but that offer won’t apply if the city hires Huedepohl.

Following a 2-2 vote that defeated the motion to approve Huedepohl, Olson said she’d like to see Huedepohl get some certifications before the city hires him.

Hinshaw said that applicants without management experience can gain that experience after being hired just as easily as someone without lifeguard certification can get that later.

Kimberly Benscoter-Hemm, Grace Ryan and Hannah Ryan also applied for the position.

According to the job description, the aquatics center manager must supervise lifeguards, assure safety of pool patrons, communicate effectively with city staff about all pool issues and ensure that the aquatics center operates efficiently and effectively.

The manager must have a high school diploma or equivalent, have lifeguard certification, first aid and CPR certification or have the ability to obtain certification by March 1. Water Safety Instructor certification is preferred.

The manager should have basic understanding of pool water quality control and mechanical functions of pool equipment, strong leadership, communication and organizational skills, the job description says.

Pool inspection is set for April 21 or May 1, Marck said.