Leaks, Flood-Plain Issues Force Closure of 55-Year-Old Pool

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The Shawnee County Commission on Monday will consider soliciting bids to demolish and backfill the Crestview Pool, and the Topeka City Council on Tuesday will consider allocations to youth and senior service programs.

The cost to demolish and backfill Crestview Pool is estimated to be between $70,000 and $80,000, according to the request from the parks and recreation department. Funding will come from the user fees funneled into its building maintenance fund.

The commission on April 11 voted to close the 55-year-old pool, 4801 S.W. Shunga Drive, after learning of its severe leak problems and the limitations of repairing or replacing an in-ground pool in a flood plain.

The county commission meets at 9 a.m. Monday in its chambers in Room B-11 of the county courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th. Commissioners also will consider:

- Purchasing a boat motor for the work barge at Lake Shawnee for an estimated $7,600 to $8,100.

- Replacing two HVAC rooftop units at the adult detention center for less than $250,000 from McElroy's Inc.

- Contracting Bartlett & West for $280,000 to provide full time construction administration, field observation, testing and staking services for the N.W. 46th and N. Topeka Boulevard intersection.

The Topeka City Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in its chambers in City Hall, 214 S.E. 8th.

During the meeting, the council will consider adopting allocations to youth and senior services based on the recommendation of the economic and community development committee.

Committee members Karen Hiller, Michelle De La Isla and Nathan Schmidt on Sept. 23 unanimously approved funding 21 programs at their 2013 levels. In total, 11 agencies would receive $204,428 in general fund monies. Three of those agencies, as well as four others, will receive another $140,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant monies, also the same as allocated last year.

The city council Tuesday also will consider:

- An agreement with Westar Energy to increase its franchise fee to the city from 5 percent to 6 percent, increasing the city's annual revenue by $600,000.

- Contracting a third party to operate admissions and concessions at the Topeka Zoo, realizing a savings of $120,964.