A possible Keota pool was a main topic of conversation at last week’s Keota City Council meeting and the work session held ahead of the meeting. In November’s election, a $1.18 million bond measure was on the ballot to build a new pool, but that failed with only 40% of voters in favor.  At the work session the pool was discussed, including a letter from the city attorney regarding questions about the resolution the Pool Advocates had requested. There was also a letter from the Keota Pool Advocates group that was reviewed. Their correspondence included a commitment to find ways to reduce the financial impact to the city, exploring new avenues for staffing and running the pool, while also pledging continued searches for grant and financial contributions. A petition was also presented with 35 signatures from city residents asking that the city not take ownership of a proposed pool, make no commitment to fund the pool, and not propose a second bond issue. In the full council meeting the petition was again discussed as was a discussion about the future of the pool. Members of the Keota Pool Advocates who attended the meeting asked the council if a resolution could be presented at the next meeting stating that the city would back grants that the group applied for, take over operating expenses for the pool in 2021, and present a bond issue to voters again in 2020. Councilman Matt Greiner stated that if a bond issue needs to happen, it could be put on the ballot one more time, but if the vote is no, the public has spoken and the city will not work toward a new pool. Residents on both sides of the issue were given chances to speak during the discussion.