Village of Lomira Continues Discussion of Pool and More

The Village of Lomira Board met on Sept. 9 at 7:04 p.m. to discuss and act on the wastewater treatment plant disinfection project, continued discussion on the Lomira pool and more.

After approving the agenda as presented and the previous meeting minutes, the board went into discussion and approved the wastewater treatment plant disinfection project plans and authorized MSA Professional Services to submit plans to the WI DNR for review, as well as the added amendment to also have it go out for bid.

Trustee Kohlmann then proceeded to put on a small presentation on possible outcomes for the Lomira pool. He mentioned how there was no consensus during the public forum on Sept. 2, so he decided to come up with some alternatives for the pool. He started off the presentation with some facts: the Lomira pool located in Sterr Park is 22,000 sq. ft. in a village of only 2,865 people, with a lot less using it on a daily basis. He stated that larger communities have smaller pools, with the example that Fond du Lac, with a population of over 44,000, has a pool that is just over half the size of Lomira’s.

The first alternative Kohlmann presented was having one small pool under the size of 2,000 sq. ft. With this plan, there would be no lifeguard requirements, making it a swim at your own risk pool. This would cut the size of the pool tremendously, and the space being filled could be used for other amenities and greenspace.

The second option would be to have two pools under 2,000 sq. ft. with separation between the two with a wall. One pool would be more of a shallow kids pool, while the other would be a more general depth pool. Kohlmann stated he checked with the State of Wisconsin DATCP (Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection), and having the two separate pools at under 2,000 sq. ft. would mean they could still keep the no lifeguard requirements, or they could lessen the amount of lifeguards needed at the pool at one time. Like with the first option, the filled in area could be used in alternative ways.

The third option would be for a mid-sized pool of under 5,000 sq. ft. This would mean that only one to two guards would need to be present, depending on the number of patrons (max of 60 patrons for one lifeguard, and a max of 136 patrons for two).

The fourth option would be to keep the pool as is and close off the deep end of the pool with a barrier on days where there are less lifeguards available.

Trustee Priesgen stated how she does not like the idea of a “swim at your own risk” pool with no lifeguards, stating how she is worried about any lawsuits if something where to happen and how there are other areas in and around the village that are “swim at your own risk” that people can go to. She also stated that shrinking the pool and the lifeguard requirements means that they would no longer be able to offer swim lessons, as there needs to be six lifeguards present for lessons. The board decided that they will put out a questionnaire in the village newsletter asking for people’s opinions on the matter.

Other Items of Consideration:

Approved operator liquor license to Jason Keys

Approved temporary Class “B” beverage license to Rocko’s MS Fundraising Group to sell at the Lomira Athletic Fields Park on September 11 and 12

Approved “Class B” liquor and fermented malt beverage license to Lola’s Mexican American Cuisine LLC at 580 East Avenue

Approved updates to Ordinance #385 recycling guidelines

Approved 2027 stray animal contract with the Dodge County Humane Society

Approved to pay bills listed: General Fund $60,160.32; Utility Fund $90,500.75

Tabled discussion of contract with Bawmar Appraisal as the Village assessor until the following meeting as the contract was not completed in time

The meeting finished in a closed session and adjourned afterward.