Othello council deliberates cargo containers, increases splash pad budget

OTHELLO – The Othello City Council’s regular meeting on Monday featured a unanimous vote to spend an additional $35,000 on an improved future installation of a splash pad in Kiwanis Park, as well as discussion regarding the Planning Commission’s recommendation on cargo containers in C-1 commercial zones. City Engineer Shawn O’Brien said city staff had inquired about adding a “mega soaker” to the recreational splash pad design, which dumps 55 gallons of water at once onto the pad. “We took that to the Parks and Rec Committee (to see) if they were still interested at that price,” O’Brien said. “This is the very early stages of this project, which is about a $1.258 million project which $1.1 million of is a grant, and just because the additional cost may go outside of the original budget I wanted to bring it to council and ask for approval to give the mayor authority to make an amendment to the contract that we've entered into with Northwest Playgrounds.”