Wednesday during a City Council session, Local resident Jodi Purgason spoke before the council about a petition she started to convince the city to open the Aquatic Center. The City announced plans on May 19 to keep the pool closed for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Purgason said children of West Plains and surrounding communities need the pool to open:
Councilman Mike Topliff stated he was in favor of the city reopening the pool. Councilman Josh Cotter voiced his opposition, stating that until the city could implement CDC guidelines he would not be in favor of the pool opening.
Topliff made a motion that the City of West Plains reopen the pool. The motion was not seconded. According to City Administrator Tom Stehn, a motion that is not seconded, fails to pass.
Cotter then made a motion to keep the aquatic center closed for the 2020 pool season. Councilwoman Jessica Nease seconded. The council then voted to keep the pool closed with only Topliff opposing.
You can watch the meeting in its entirety below:
Posted by City of West Plains on Wednesday, June 3, 2020
