Council approves RFP for pool

McCOOK, Neb. — Several items relating to the construction of a new city swimming pool were addressed Monday night by the McCook City Council.

The council unanimously approved the McCook Swimming Pool construction manager selection committee as well as issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for swimming pool construction management services. The council at its Jan. 3 meeting authorized the use of the Construction Management at Risk system for the swimming pool construction. A construction manager was used in the construction of the city Municipal Building.

Council members had a chance to review the requirements in the RFP at Monday’s meeting, with submitted proposals due by 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3. The construction manager selected will enter into a contract with the city that will set a guaranteed maximum amount and provide cost estimates and construction schedules.

The city will refer RFPs for recommendation to the selection committee, the selection committee also approved by the council Monday night. The committee is not responsible for designing the swimming pool or choosing amenities for the pool, but to select a construction manager based on evaluation criteria included in the city’s Construction Management at Risk policy. The committee will then forward its recommendation to the city council.

The swimming pool committee, the council, city staff members and the engineering firm hired by the city for the pool, Lamp Rynearson, will work with the construction manager on design and amenities.

Those appointed to the selection committee are McCook Mayor Linda Taylor, City Councilman Gene Weedin, Andy Smith of Lamp Rynearson Engineering, former McCook Mayor Mike Gonzales, city pool director Jody Crocker, McCook School Superintendent Grant Norgaard, architectural designer Matthew Clause, McCook Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff and Nate Schneider.

City staff is currently working on completing an application for a grant from the Civic and Community Financing Fund (CCCFF) that could be used for the pool. The maximum amount available is $500,000 with applications due Feb. 15.

In an update about the ballpark project, City Manager Nate Schneider told the council an economic impact study done by Nebraska Public Power District will be utilized for fundraising, as a way to attract potential donors. Questionnaires from that study are still being completed.