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MARSHALL -- As soon as the results came in for the referendum extending Marshall's local sales tax, there was a lot that needed to be done, city staff said. Planning for a new Aquatic Center could continue, but the city also needed to finalize a land agreement, formally update the tax ordinances and more.
Those topics were all part of discussion at Tuesday's meeting of the Marshall City Council.
"Part of the reason to put together this agenda item was really to facilitate discussion on next steps," said Marshall City Administrator Sharon Hanson.
At Tuesday's meeting, the council also formally introduced the ordinance extending the time the city's 0.5% sales tax is in effect. The sales tax revenues will be used to fund the construction of a new Aquatic Center, on land near the corner of Saratoga Street and West College Drive.
Hanson said some parts of the proposed project had been on hold, waiting to hear the results of the Nov. 7 referendum.
"I can assure the council and the public, immediately after finding out the results, the first phone call we made was to Stockwell (Engineering) in order to inform them to get moving on the project," Hanson said. "Likewise, staff have been taking some other necessary steps."
Hanson said the city canvassing board met earlier on Tuesday to certify the results of the Nov. 7 referendum. Two other steps to move forward on the Aquatic Center project also needed council action, Hanson said. Council members needed to approve a $468,000 land purchase agreement with Schwan's for the new Aquatic Center, which was contingent on the referendum passing.
"We want to validate that by resolution," Hanson said.
Council members also needed to take action to extend the local sales tax. "We didn't create new legislation. We amended the existing sales tax authorization to include the Aquatic Center," Hanson said. "That's what we would be introducing. The ordinance is to amend the ordinance to include the extension of the sales tax for the Aquatic Center."
In two separate actions, the council voted to approve the land purchase agreement, and to introduce the ordinance to extend the city sales tax.
Hanson said tasks ahead for city staff included working with local attorneys and title companies on platting for the Aquatic Center project. "We will also be sitting down with the city clerk . . . to ensure that we fulfill all the necessary statutory requirements," she said.
In the meantime, Stockwell would be working on the design and construction process for the Aquatic Center.
"We understand the concern about moving forward as soon as possible," said engineer Jon Brown of Stockwell. The process of completing the Aquatic Center design would start in early January, Brown said. "The intent would be to bid this project in August," he said. Construction could begin in October 2024, with completion by the end of 2025.
The plan would be for the new Aquatic Center to open in the summer of 2026, Brown said.
"We're going to do everything we can to make this schedule happen, and I don't have any doubt that this schedule will happen," Brown said.
Hanson said assistant city engineer Eric Hanson would serve as the owner's representative on the construction project. "He's hit the ground running, as well," she said.
Another ongoing task for the city will be to reach out to community members and organizations for possible additional sponsorship opportunities for the Aquatic Center, Hanson said. The additional community funding could help pay to add in bid alternates to the project, she said.