Swimming pool to open
Grant City Council members wrestled with the tough decision of whether or not to open the city swimming pool due to the COVID-19 situation.
After about 40 minutes of discussion, council members voted 3-1 to open the pool Monday, June 15 or shortly thereafter.
Andrea Brueggeman, Tierney Petersen and Kim Bishop voted for the motion while Matt Greenwood voted against it.
City Superintendent Edward Dunn said the exact opening date remains flexible because there are significant preparations to be completed before the pool can be opened.
Normally, that work would have been completed in time for a Memorial Day weekend opening.
However, since it was unknown whether the city would be able to open the pool or not, he decided not to expend the resources until there was a definite decision.
The pool will operate under the directed health measures in place for the Phase Two reopening of the state.
The number of people inside the pool fence can exceed no more than 25, excluding staff. Dunn said that number could be adjusted up or down depending on social distance guidelines.
Each swimmer must also present a waiver verified by a parent or guardian.
The proposed waiver acknowledges there could be possible exposure to COVID-19 by using the pool and releases the City of Grant from any liability as a result of pool use.
Information from the waiver will also be used in the event that contact tracing is needed.
If a swimmer becomes COVID-19 positive, the information becomes valuable in tracing back who the person may have been in contact with and notify those people they may have been exposed to the virus.
The wading pool will be open as well and occupancy will be limited to no more than two households at the same time.
Playgrounds to open soon
Dunn indicated playground equipment at the park could be re-opened as early as the end of this week.
He said they will be posting signage about equipment use and sanitation procedures. At this point, the equipment will be disinfected once daily.
Info on playground opening will appear later this week on the city’s website and their Facebook page, Dunn said.
Ball program starts
Monday, June 1 marked the first day baseball and softball teams could begin practice under the governor’s new directed health measures.
Initially, the ball teams were not going to be allowed to travel to play other teams in the Tri-County league.
However, that changed when inter-local travel was approved under the new DHM. As a result Grant ball teams will be allowed to travel.
Dunn said it looks like Grant will have eight different ball teams—boys and girls t-ball; boys and girls pony league, one junior girls team and one peewee boys team.
Council members passed a resolution requiring both parents or guardians to sign a waiver to allow their child to play.
The waiver will be similar to the pool waiver which acknowledges the COVID-19 situation. It releases cities and/or ball organizations from liability in the event a player is infected, either in their own town or anywhere they travel to play.
Dog, ATV, UTV, golf cart
licenses due by June 30
During the coronavirus epidemic, the city suspended the date for all local licenses. Now that Phase Two of the DHMs are in effect, that suspension has been lifted.
Dog licenses and licenses for ATVs, UTVs and golf carts inside the city limits must now be completed by June 30.
The city office officially reopened on Monday so people can now complete their renewals at the office.
The city library board meets June 10 and will determine a reopening date and procedures to comply with DHM requirements.