By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWarrenton has completed the purchase of 39 acres to be used for a new city park and is proceeding with preliminary work to develop the land.The city closed on the transaction this month, Director of Operations/Finance Officer Terri Thorn announced at last Tuesday’s board of aldermen meeting.It paid $285,000 for the land, located west of the Brune Business Park. The property was appraised for $350,000.The city plans to construct a new pool on the land and other park-related amenities.At last Tuesday’s meeting, all six aldermen voted in favor of spending $50,000 for the preliminary work related to the pool project.However, the vote for spending $75,000 for preliminary site work and layout for a dog park and walking trails passed by a 4-2 vote. Ward 2 Alderman Damion Frederick and Ward 3 Alderman Jim Dreyer opposed the expenditure.Thorn said an environmental assessment must be completed first and will determine if any endangered species or bats are on the property. The report is required, she said, since the land is a forest area with water.If the endangered bats are located, it will only affect the time of the year when the site work can begin, according to Thorn.A preliminary site layout and cost estimates also will be provided by engineers.Both Dreyer and Frederick said they have been approached by numerous residents who opposed the dog park portion of the projects. They support constructing new walking trails.“What are we going to do if somebody’s dog bites somebody or a if a disease is brought in and one of these dogs gets sick and dies?” Dreyer told The Record. “I have had more people call me and talk to me more about this than anything since I’ve been on here.”Frederick added: “I’ve had an overwhelming negative response for a dog park in theory. People who love dogs don’t want a dog park.”During the discussion, Ward 2 Alderman Gary Auch cautioned that the $75,000 allocated is likely a high-end cost estimate and that the portion that will be spent for the dog park is a much lower amount.“There is a lot of underbrush on this property,” Thorn said. “The big part of the clearing cost is getting the underbrush out.”In other news• The city adopted a resolution calling for a public hearing related to the annexation of 1.3 acres at 7178 S. Highway 47. The property is located in the middle of a parcel recently purchased by the city adjacent to Brune Business Park.A public hearing will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. Prior to approval of the resolution, the board authorized the signing of a petition to request the annexation.• The city awarded the fire extinguisher maintenance bid to 2015 Fire Safety Inc., of Wood River, Ill., for $1,481. It was the lone bid received by the city.• A bid for a 10-foot western snowplow came in $5,470 under budget and was awarded to Knapheide for $12,030. The city had budgeted $17,500 for the plow. Other bids were received from Riechers Truck Body and Equipment Company ($12,205) and Viking-Cives Midwest ($17,481.92).A bid for a 10-foot material spreader was awarded to Viking-Cives Midwest for $10,865.69. The company has the state bid. The purchase is $265.69 over the budgeted amount.Warrenton