During its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, the Merrill Common Council unanimously approved a site plan recommended by the City Plan Commission for a new Aquatic Center at the MARC.
The Merrill Parks and Recreation Commission has been working steadily with Water Technology Inc. based out of Beaver Dam, to plan and design the project since October.
Bidding for contractors went out last Monday, and bids are set to be opened May 4.
The Parks and Recreation Commission will review bids at its May 6 meeting.
The council also approved a recommendation from the city Personnel and Finance Committee, for a proposed wage and compensation study by Carlson Dettman Consulting LLC, in the amount of $19,250.
The study will be performed for the 55 existing city job classifications.
In addition, the proposal includes mileage at the current approved IRS rate.
The proposal also includes department head interviews. However, if additional interviews are conducted, they will be charged at a rate of $125 each, which would be added to the total project cost.
The council voted 6-1 to approve the measure. Seventh District Alderman Rob Norton stood opposed. First District Alderman Chris Malm was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.
In other matters on Tuesday, the council approved a recommendation from the Board of Public Works, to consider bids for construction of the River Bend Trail from Genesee Street, to Highway 64.
The council also approved a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission, to approve the purchase of an ice re-surfacer from Frank J. Zamboni Inc. in the amount of $137,666. Once acquired, the new equipment will be housed at the Smith Center.
The next Common Council meeting is set for Tuesday May 12 in the Council chambers at City Hall.