The city of Warrenton has renewed its contracts with a pool management agency and the charity organization AGAPE.The two contracts, which were separate matters considered at the city’s April 3 board of aldermen meeting, amount to about $95,000 for Midwest Pool Management and $20,000 for AGAPE.Midwest Pool Management handles the daily operation and care of Warrenton’s public swimming pool facility. Its contract with the city for the 2018 pool season includes a $22,375 “management fee” for overhead and insurance costs, and $72,830 for employee wages.The cost of wages increased slightly compared to last year because of minimum wage changes, said Warrenton Assistant Director of Operations Brandie Walters. The cost of the contract was not otherwise changed, she said.The management agency’s responsibilities include hiring and training lifeguards, vacuuming the pools, regularly cleaning the entire facility, and maintaining pool filters.Pool managers and lifeguards are all considered employees of Midwest Pool Management.The term of the contract is until Sept. 3, which prompted a question of how the city will handle management of its new aquatic center currently under construction. The indoor-outdoor pool facility is slated to open in the fall, with the indoor portion open year-round.Ward 2 Alderman Gary Auch asked if the new management contract would be put out for bids.Director of Operations Terri Thorn said the city would likely stay with Midwest Pool Management for the new facility.“We’ve tried bidding over the last few years. There’s really not a lot of competition in this market,” Thorn explained. “We will ask (Midwest Pool Management) to provide us with a proposal for the management of that pool, and then bring that to (the board of aldermen) for consideration.”AGAPE serviceAGAPE is a food pantry and social service organization that serves residents in Warren County.Warrenton provides $20,000 annually to support the services provided by AGAPE. The organization benefited 481 Warrenton families in 2017 and 2018, along with almost as many families from surrounding Warren County, according to AGAPE.AGAPE operates a food pantry on Powell Street and a thrift store on Armory Road, both in Warrenton. In recent years, AGAPE has also directed a large portion of its resources to aiding families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.“We’re seeing (homelessness) rates continue to rise,” said AGAPE Executive Director Michelle Bernth. “Almost any day that you’re in our office, you will see somebody come through the front door saying that they’re out on the street. A lot of times, those people have children with them.”AGAPE served about 1,300 people per month and distributed more than 323,000 pounds of food in the last year, according to information from the organization. Specifically in Warrenton, AGAPE provided aid to about 550 children.Warrenton Board of Aldermen meetings are open to the public and include time for public comment. Meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Warrenton City Hall.

 

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