Maytag Pool will open

Despite reservations from city staff and the limited ways in which swimming pools in the state can currently operate, Maytag Pool will open its doors for the 2020 season. This was the result of a motion during Monday’s city council meeting, which allowed Newton Mayor Mike Hansen to vote.

Since the city council could not reach majority vote about whether to open or close Maytag Pool for the 2020 season last week, Hansen was able to submit the deciding, tie-breaking vote on Monday when the request was brought up again by staff. According to Iowa Code, Hansen is within his right to do so.

“While a city is thus operating with an even number of council members, the mayor may vote to break a tie vote on motions not involving ordinances, resolutions or appointments made by the council alone,” state code says in section 372.4, subsection 1b.

Some city council members questioned whether past action items could be brought up again on subsequent agendas. City Attorney Matthew Brick said the city council can continually bring up items. But he also encouraged them not to do so. Hansen said he had never done this process before.

The mayor deliberated his decision, looking at both sides of the argument, as well as the input from city staff. Currently, pools in Iowa are limited to lap swims and swimming lessons, but that could be subject to change. City staff worried about public health, finances and its strained, potentially dwindling workforce.

“I do believe, from the information I have, that the restrictions are going to be lifted, and lifted soon,” Hansen said. “There’s also a financial consideration here, but we’ve also operated all of our venues that offer entertainment experiences to our citizens where we have not made money.

“So this has been a very difficult thing for me to consider and weigh through. But I believe the advantages of allowing our citizens to utilize that facility outweighs the closure of that thing for this entire season. So therefore, I am casting my vote to open the pool for the 2020 swimming season.”

Randy Ervin, Mark Hallam and Craig Trotter were the three council members who agreed with the motion, which asked if Maytag Pool should reopen. Evelyn George, Steve Mullan and Dean Stonner voted “no” against the motion, arguing the pool is not safe to open during COVID-19 pandemic.

Those council members who wanted the pool to open largely believed citizens should be able to make their own decisions. Some also felt the pool would mostly attract younger people, who they claim are not as susceptible to COVID-19. However, there is some dispute to that.

The World Health Organization agreed older people with pre-existing medical conditions “appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus,” but also said “people of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus.” WHO advises everyone to take steps to protect themselves.

City council members offered similar arguments to the ones made at the special meeting held May 23.

Hallam derived his opinion from data cited in articles, particularly the information gathered from the isolated cases found in cruise ships early on in the pandemic’s lifecycle. The COVID-19 death rate, he said, is low. Hallam believes opening the pool is not going to add to the death toll in Jasper County.

Stonner is not as convinced. Although he acknowledged the chances are slim, if Jasper County or Newton were to have one death as a result of opening the pool, council members “might take it to (their) graves.” Stonner also said city staff supported their arguments to not open the pool.

Mullan remains open for more info about COVID-19, but paints himself as a “cautious optimist.” Too many people, he said, are not taking the threat serious and reiterated the youth is not immune to the coronavirus. Mullan also has faith the science community will find a solution, such as a vaccine.

Trotter argued even if scientists did come up with a vaccine, it does not mean it is a cure. People, he said, will be living and dealing with COVID-19 a year from now. Trotter said more than 3.1 million live in Iowa, and more than 19,000 people have confirmed cases; roughly 0.5 percent have or had COVID-19.

George said it boils down to a safety issue, which may require another year to get a handle on the virus. She also is concerned about the young lifeguards and guests. George suggested the overall experience of the swimming pool season would be diminished because of restrictions and social distancing.

Ervin said the city council already failed to pass a resolution to close the pool and also failed to pass an amended motion to hold off until June 15. He was curious why the council was even discussing the action, arguing an answer was reached a one week prior. Ervin supported opening the pool for the youth.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com