By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
With months to go before the Whitewater Aquatics Center undergoes a change in management structure, a new staffer with fitness-related expertise is being brought into the fold.
Debbie Oas, whose background includes a role with the Geneva Lakes YMCA, has been named WAC’s new aquatic and fitness programmer. City Manager Cameron Clapper introduced Oas at a Common Council meeting April 7.
“I’m very excited for this opportunity,” said Oas, who officially began her employment with Whitewater on April 4. “This is a really beautiful facility. There are a lot of opportunities here. I think (WAC) has a really great future ahead.”
The city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is slated to begin oversight of the WAC in July.
In other recent business, the Common Council:
– Approved a plan to take out $1.35 million in general obligation promissory notes through Commercial Bank and an additional $1.35 million from First Citizens State Bank.
The city is taking out the notes to borrow for road reconstruction projects on Center, George and Summit streets and Boone Court.
– Approved a request by Police Chief Lisa Otterbacher to purchase a new police squad car — a 2016 Ford Taurus — at a cost of $25,096. The purchase will be made from Ketterhagen Motor Sales, which was the lowest of two bidders.
The squad purchase was included in the city’s 2016 capitol budget.
– Awarded a $21,285 contract to Madison-based Altronex Control Systems for upgrades to a lift station on Oak Street. The infrastructure was first installed in 1953, according to city officials, and the last set of upgrades at the site occurred in 1988.
– Amended a change to the city’s grease trap ordinance in order to sync up with the state statutes. The ordinance primarily applies to food-serving establishments.
