Watkins pool opening delayed for lack of staff

By Jean Doran Matua, Editor

The Watkins city council met Thursday, May 13. Their next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 10, at city hall.

The city had three individuals apply for the job of pool manager, but none of them is 18 or older which is a legal requirement. They will advertise again, for a full-time manager and part-time assistant manager, but without the requirement to be lifeguard and WSI certified (since there will be no lessons this year). See ad on page 23; the deadline is noon Friday, May 21. There is no opening date for the pool, but it likely will close before the end of August as lifeguards likely will return to school then.

The council approved an outdoor DJ for a toga party at Red Goat Bar the night of June 12.

They approved the Lions to install a pickle ball court in the skating rink.

They approved installation of a 4-way stop at the corner of 1st and Western because of traffic and speed concerns.

They approved retirement of Kurt Nistler from the Fire Department, and appointment of four applicants to begin training along with Eden Valley and Kimball new members, contingent on background checks and physicals.

They approved the Lions installation of Lions Club signage within the footprint of the welcome signs on either end of town.

The council directed the city’s engineer Kent Louwagie to spend a couple of hours researching a train quiet zone in Watkins.

Following the hearing before tonight’s meeting, the council unanimously approved vacating the entire portion of the alley that’s been in dispute for some time now.

They approved the Lions Club purchasing and installing an outdoor AED in front of city hall.

The council has been asked to enforce no parking in yellow zones as this causes a hazard for pedestrians crossing Central Avenue.

They denied a land use permit for a dog kennel because it exceeds the 100 sq. ft. limit in the ordinance.

They approved use of a Facebook page for the city, but for business and city/community events only, and no comments will be allowed.