Quincy examines pool, water, sewer issues

QUINCY — Quincy city officials are beginning the process of planning for water and sewer projects designed to upgrade the city’s utility systems. Quincy City Council members voted Tuesday to advertise for proposals for a number of studies, including one that would analyze the city’s existing sewer system.

Quincy Administrator Pat Haley said in an earlier interview that the city has reached 85% of its sewer capacity. When that happens the city is required by the Washington Department of Ecology to conduct an analysis of the system and options for enlarging it.

City officials are also looking for additional water sources and projects for water conservation and reuse. Council members approved the requests unanimously and without discussion.

In other business, council members also approved a proposal for proposals for an outside company to run the concession stand at the Quincy Aquatic Center in summer 2023.

Proposals are due by March 1. In the RFQ city officials said the pool is scheduled to open on June 16. The RFQ also included the possibility of the concessionaire operating in some of the city’s other parks.

Recreation Director Russ Harrington said the city operated the concession stand in 2022.

“Are you expecting some people to (be interested)?” asked council member Jeff Spence.

“There was one person last summer that asked me about it, but it was already after we had hired staff and I would’ve had to lay people off,” Harrington said. “So there is at least one person that I know of, at least last summer, who was interested. Hopefully, we can garner a few more people in there too, but we’ve got to try.”

After the meeting, Harrington said the city still would hire people to operate the admissions booth and do other jobs around the pool. He said the city has used concessionaires in the past.

“Mostly we want to get a different variety,” he said. “A different flair and flavor to it.”

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.