The body will also look at uptown Trick or Treat.
After heated discussion during the summer, the Athens City Council has specifically set aside time for Monday’s meeting to again discuss a new aquatic center.
The possibility of a new aquatic center for the city has been a point of contention between Athens residents and members of the city administration, resulting in a verbal exchange between Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl and a resident at a council meeting this summer.
In November, citizens passed a 0.1 percent tax increase to fund Athens Arts, Parks and Recreation, however it was not specifically stated that the increase would pay for a new aquatic center.
Rich Campitelli, the director of the Arts, Parks and Recreation said in a previous Post report there is not enough money from the levy to build both a “nice outdoor pool and really nice indoor pool.”
Councilwoman Michele Papai, D-3rd Ward, said this might be a “longer meeting” with more time for residents to voice their opinions.
“It will be more time for citizens to speak,” Papai said.
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The pool is not the only topic city council has seen dissension from since reconvening in September.
Because of the 2-5 vote against an ordinance closing Court Street, the Athens Uptown Business Association Trick or Treat, which is scheduled for Oct. 26, will go on without the street closed to vehicular traffic.
Despite being vocally opposed to the Oct. 26 date for the association's Trick or Treat, Athens Underground owner Barbara Stout voiced her concern for not closing the street.
“You can’t have so many kids and not close the street. I don’t want to see any kids hurt,” Stout said at last week’s meeting.
Papai said council will talk about the topic again, making it the fourth week in a row Council has discussed the trick or treat.
One of the two bike spur projects ongoing in Athens will also be discussed.
“This project has been ongoing for many years,” Papai said.
The project will be covered completely by appropriations and other outside funding.
Though nothing has been officially brought up from the finance committee, Councilman Jeff Risner, D-2nd Ward, said he expects “a couple things from the auditor’s office.”
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