MARSHALL — Marshall kicked off a new phase in planning to update its municipal pool on Tuesday night, with members of the Marshall City Council approving an architectural proposal from Stockwell Engineers, Inc. Representatives from Stockwell said they plan to gather input from community members and city staff, before developing design concepts for the Marshall Aquatic Center.

“We’re excited about this project,” said landscape architect David Locke.

The city started the RFP process for architectural services for the Aquatic Center in January. The city council has been talking about Aquatic Center’s future for the past couple of years. The facility’s mechanical systems are aging and the swimming pool itself is leaking, among other problems, Marshall city staff said.

“The city received significant interest in our project,” said Marshall Community Services Director Scott VanDerMillen. They received a total of 13 proposals, which were reviewed by a 10-member construction committee.

The committee recommended approval of Stockwell Engineers’ proposal, pending city attorney Dennis Simpson’s review of the agreement for professional services. City staff said the proposal would have a fiscal impact of $193,200 for the city.

Marshall City Administrator Sharon Hanson said the $193,000 wasn’t included in this year’s city budget. If the Aquatic Center project moved forward, it would likely become part of the bigger project cost. Initially the proposal could be funded through reserves and existing city funds, she said.

Stockwell Engineers president Jon Brown and \Locke were present at Tuesday’s council meeting, and Locke outlined what the city could expect in Phase 1 of the design process.

Locke said they planned on holding public input sessions, as well as working with city staff to learn what their mechanical needs for the Aquatic Center were.

“We really want this design to be a reflection of the community,” he said.

Locke said Phase 1 would also include surveying work at the Aquatic Center site, and underground exploration for drainage and other information. He would then develop a design concept and schematics to bring back to the council.

Council members voted 6-1 in favor of approving the proposal from Stockwell Engineers, with council member Russ Labat casting the dissenting vote.