Council Considers Closing Pool, Parks

The Britton City Council discussed closing the swimming pool and city parks this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic at its regular meeting on Monday but will wait to make any decisions until a special meeting set for Monday, April 27.

City Finance Officer Marie Marlow noted that a number of communities around the state have made the decision to close city recreational facilities for the summer, including youth sports activities.

“Where is the limit on what we, as city government, are going to do?” questioned Mayor Clyde Fredrickson. “I’m afraid we could be setting a precedent that’s dangerous, and we don’t want to become Big Brother telling people what they can or cannot do with their Constitutional freedoms.”

“What works for Sioux Falls doesn’t necessarily work for Britton,” said council member Cristy Davidson.

Marlow said that the city only has about half of the staff hired that is needed to operate the pool at this time. Training is also required to have lifeguards certified.

“In a couple of weeks we may have an idea of what they will be doing to re-open the country,” added Fredrickson. “There are just too many unknowns right now. We will talk again in two weeks.”

In other action the board discussed a plan to help with utility payments due to COVID-19 hardship. The plan would include waiving penalties for late payment with a signed request form indicating reasons for late payment as well as setting up a payment plan to pay the balance owed. City Attorney Justin Scott will draw up a resolution to be acted upon at the special meeting in two weeks.

Council members discussed the Family First Coronavirus Response Act that deals with sick leave and family leave. Employees can receive emergency paid sick leave if they have children at home because of no school or daycare. They can receive two-thirds of their regular pay on emergency leave for up to 80 hours with an additional 400 hours of expanded family medical leave, also paid at the two-thirds rate. Employees have the option of taking the other third as not paid or may use accrued leave.

The board also amended its sick leave policy to include sickness of an immediate family member.

All events at the Britton Area Event Center have been cancelled until September, and Event Center Coordinator Laken Atkinson has been temporarily laid off to allow her to apply for unemployment.

All city signs are being replaced through a state program and several areas now have new signs in place. Public Works Supervisor George Flanery said there had been some complaints on some of the new signs and noted that there is some opportunity to make changes. Anyone with questions or concerns should contact Flanery.

The old street signs and old playground equipment were declared surplus and the signs and equipment will be placed on the online auction if salvageable at the discretion of the Public Works Supervisor.

Council members approved several purchases including rubber mulch for the new playground equipment at Centennial Park at a cost of $5,000; two new sewer pumps for the Horton lagoon for $45,890.57; and a new pump for the sewer pit located near the rubble site for $34,299. Old pumps will hopefully be serviced and useable as backups

Ȧpproval was given for an archeological survey to be done for the ballpark improvement project at the south complex for $4,941. The study is required to receive a federal matching grant of $100,000 for the project.

The board discussed a previously paid bill of $1,950 to Maguire Iron for cleaning the water tower. Cleaning was required for safety reasons due to delays from J&J Earthworks in the city water project and possible reimbursement from J&J will be discussed at a later date.

Council members approved the annual financial statement to be submitted to Legislative audit. The road situation on the south side of town was discussed and Marlow informed the board that grant money up to $400,000 was available for access roads to the hospital. Due to the possible cancellation of high school graduation this year the board will look into costs of putting up flags on Main Street to honor this year’s graduates.