Lansing City Council reviews plans for swimming pool guard house renovation, considers request to re-open splash pad

by Julie Berg-Raymond

In its regular meeting Monday, August 2, the Lansing City Council discussed a proposal by Damon Olson of Damon Construction of New Albin for repair work and renovations to the Lansing swimming pool guard house.

The council considered whether to replace or repair the building’s existing walls, as well as three options for the roof - including replacing it entirely. Council member Curtis Snitker suggested the present damage to the guard house walls is a water mitigation issue and could be corrected with repair to the walls and a new roof. Olson agreed, adding that “after 50 years, I’m actually surprised the damage (to the walls) isn’t worse.”

Due to budgetary concerns and the requirement that an $18,000 grant be spent on a completed project by the end of the year, the council asked Olson to break down the project and costs into two parts - with one part of the project to be completed this year, and the other in 2022. Olson will submit the plan for approval at the council’s next regular meeting.

CITIZEN CONCERN
Lansing resident Arlen Wonderlich asked the council to revisit the decision to temporarily close the splash pad adjacent to the “Our Ship of Dreams” playground in Lansing City Park. In his citizen concern statement, Wonderlich noted that “mud wasps (noted as a concern when the splash pad was recently ordered to be closed) rarely sting humans” and that the “Harpers Ferry splash pad has them, too. They have not shut down.” Wonderlich, along with Steve Casterton, on behalf of the City of Lansing and its Park and Recreation organization, was instrumental in raising money for the construction of the splash pad, which opened in 2020.

City of Lansing Street Superintendent Ken Ripp told the council that “we’ve had so many complaints from parents about their kids screaming about the bees,” but added, “the bees aren’t the only problem. There’s too much mud … and a couple of jets are clogged and not working right now.” The council decided the splash pad will remain closed until after Lansing Fish Days, which is scheduled for August 13-15.

OTHER BUSINESS
The council reviewed and considered Main Street Lansing’s request for Public Works to help with installation of a local information hub at the Main Street Plaza. Street Superintendent Ripp said he could do that after Fish Days.

Asked to consider a request to extend riprap and/or a retaining wall for the Wall Street Project at the Moschel residence, the council noted problems that need to be addressed, the first of those including a surveying issue. Lansing City Clerk Katie Becker will contact owners of the Moschel property regarding the matter.

In other business, the council decided to offer and publish a bid in the newspaper for removing tree stumps in Mt. Hosmer City Park and at least one other location. In response to a request for a fence variance at 190 Iowa Street, the council will send out letters to neighbors before acting on the request.

The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 16 at Lansing City Hall.