Future of aquatic center uncertain due to staff shortage

Williamsburg City Manager Aaron Sandersfeld briefed the Williamsburg City Council April 10 on the ongoing issues with opening the aquatic center for summer 2023. As of the meeting, they had 10 applicants for the concession stand, 11 for lifeguards and candidates for manager and assistant manager. Most of the lifeguards who applied need to be trained and certified. Sandersfeld stated, that 15 certified lifeguards are needed to open for the summer.

During open discussion, concern was raised that if the aquatic center does not open this year, it might be not be able to open in the foreseeable future. The council decided to set up the trainings for the lifeguards and wait until the next city council meeting April 24, where the final decision will be made.

Ken Caskey, Williamsburg, presented a request to perform a controlled burn of his garden located on Maple Avenue. His request was approved with the understanding he would contact the fire department and his neighbors before the burn.

Mackenzie Galli, 104 State St. building owner, presented her ideas for wayfinding and beautification for Williamsburg. Galli is a recipient of a state Catalyst grant and council previously agreed to match the $5,000 she received for the project. Galli feels her building is a great space for a mural that can help beautify the city. She has contacted an artist to paint the mural and showed some examples to the council. The mural painting will begin in June and will be visible to traffic along Highland Avenue.

Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce, Summer Hilligas, Kristie Wetjen and Erin Eichhorn gave the council updates on their ongoing projects in the community. Upcoming projects include a jobs board for local businesses to find employees and a Welcome Wagon for new residents with gifts and coupons from and for local businesses.

Police Chief Justin Parsons presented his report and told the board that with the help of two other departments they were able to arrest persons in connection with a string of burglaries. Cody Perry, officer, and Nate Bardole, sergeant, attended a training for dealing with new drugs and substances. Perry will be visiting area schools and talking with students about that new information.

Council decided to stop adding fluoride to the Williamsburg drinking water after much discussion over several council meetings. Deciding factors included difficulty in regulating the fluoride, corrosion to equipment at the new water treatment plant and that fluoride is already available in toothpaste and mouthwash. Council members Jeff Steinkamp, Jake Tornholm, Dale Walter, Anne Zalenski voted yea and Tyler Marshall voted nay.

The next Williamsburg City Council meeting will be Monday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Williamsburg City Hall.