City Council approves pool demo

Sidney’s City Council approved a plan for city crews to demolish the Bertrun O’Conner Swimming Pool on Toledo Street, leaving the rubble in place.

Under the plan, presented Tuesday evening at council’s regular meeting, City Manager Ed Sadler told council members that leaving demolished material on the pool site will be the most cost effective method, for several reasons.

Sadler said if rubble were taken off site, the city would incure the additional expense of finding a place for the material, plus the cost of moving it.

“We also spoke to the company that built the pool, and there is a lot of rebar,” Sadler said. Sadler said cutting up the rebar would also result in additional expense.

So city crews will create holes in the bottom of the pool, then push material into the pool basin, then use dirt left over from construction of the Sidney Aquatic Center for remaining fill.

Sadler said the only additional expense beyond city operation costs will be rental of a larger track hoe to accomplish heavier demo tasks.

Council members did ask Sadler if other uses were explored for the pool, rather than straight demolition. Sadler said staff had been in discussion over other possibilities, but none were possible in a cost-wise manner. One of those discussed was the possibility of transforming the pool into an ice skating area.

Sadler said staff did not feel that would be feasible.

Councilman Roger Gallaway said he had been asked about the possibility of transforming the pool into a skateboard park.

“You might as well start from scratch,” Sadler said. Such a project, transforming the straight pool walls to curved ramps, Salder said, would take “a very large amount of fill,” making the cost prohibitive.

The area will not remain unused, though. Sadler said the parks department will still use the building for storage. Sadler said the parks department may remove some load bearing walls, but that the building is in good shape for the department’s needs.

Looking toward the city’s transportation services, Council approved a resolution allowing the City of Sidney Transportation Project to apply for federal and state funds to replace the city’s Stageline Bus.

The bus, purchased through the Federal Transit Act (FTA), has reached the end of its useful life by FTA guidelines. Under those guidelines, a vehicle purchased with federal funds, has reached the end of its useful life after four years, or 100,000 miles. The Stageline Bus has more than 103,000 miles.

While a new bus costs $60,000, federal and state funds bring the city’s cost down to $6,000. The federal share is 80 percent, or $48,000, while the local share is $12,000. The Nebraska Department of Roads is allowed to use funds as a match for vehicle procurement and will match the city’s share.

The city also has an agreement with the Visitor’s Committee that makes the distinctive Stageline Bus wrap possible. The visitor’s committee pays for the wrap, and also provides $2,083.33 monthly to help offset operating costs.

In other business, Council approved a bid from Adams Civil Resources of Sidney for construction of highway access from Jennifer Lane onto Link 17J. The city received three bids, from Adams, Infinity Construction of Scottsbluff, and Weiser Construction of Sidney. Two of those bids, from Adams and Infinity, were under the engineer’s estimate of $285,927. Adams bid was $229,576.35.

Council also retained Rauner & Associates of Sidney for auditing services.