Rec center out, pool study continues

MADISON – With the demise of the proposed Madison Recreation Center, Madison City Council and Mayor Paul Finley’s office will resume conversations about the fate of a natatorium or pool for the City of Madison.

At council’s Dec. 12 meeting, City Administrator Taylor Edge said he is terminating any remaining contracts for the defunct rec center on Celtic Drive to officially close the project. District 2 Councilman Steve Smith, who had exerted the most work for the rec center, said the city will retain all design work on the project.

No bills have been incurred since council voted to close the project.

“The pool is the priority at the moment,” Edge said. He said Madison City Schools needs to know if the city will proceed with the pool. At council’s Dec. 19 meeting, Edge plans to submit “small, medium and large” options for the pool in terms of footprint and budget.

Council approved the following bill payments:

* $10,620.95 to Madison County Commission, District 2 for milling and repaving Brass Oaks Drive.
* $23,340.00 to Turner Universal, construction management for Madison Public Library.
* $3,740.92 as final payment to ICA for Old Madison Pike construction engineering and inspection.
* $94.785.80 to Limestone County, paving Burgreen Road.

District 1 Councilwoman Maura Wroblewski and Mayor Paul Finley met with Alex Riley with MadisonUp and will continue communication on Riley’s effort to build a playground on the vacant lot near the intersection of Gillespie Road and Wall Triana. Riley has received 501(c)3 status for the organization.

District 3 Councilman Teddy Powell thanked Madison Arts Council and Madison Station Historical Preservation Society for the launch of Christmas Card Lane.

District 6 Councilman Gerald Clark nominated and received approval for Michael Keenan to Madison Beautification and Tree Board. District 7 Councilman John Seifert was appointed to the planning commission. Council re-appointed Thomas Parker as municipal judge.

Council appropriated $30,000 for Madison Baseball Association to present the 2017 Summer Dizzy Dean Tournament.

The City Planning Department will enter a contract with Xceligent of Birmingham for database services of commercial and industrial property at $4,500 for one-year subscription and $375 setup.

The finance department received approval with Cabinet, Inc., a Madison-based software company, and Lioce Group for cloud-based document archival software. Based on number of licenses, the annual fee is $9,480, along with $3,100 setup fee.

Mimecast was awarded an annual maintenance agreement for $17,407.03.