Auburn City Council Advances Pool Plans, Housing Program

Auburn City Council met March 9 in regular session. Mayor Chris Erickson presided over the meeting with all council members present. Renovation plans for Auburn’s municipal swimming pool moved forward Monday as the Auburn City Council approved a design services contract and discussed improvements aimed at keeping the aging facility operating for years to come.
Pool Project Swims Along
The council unanimously approved a $59,500 agreement with Landmark Aquatics to provide engineering and design services for the pool renovation project. City officials said the work represents the first major step in planning upgrades to the community facility.
The project could include improvements to the pool’s filtration and chemical systems, replacement of the kiddie pool, expansion of the pool deck and renovation of the slide tower, along with additional play features for children and accessibility upgrades.
City Administrator Crystal Dunekacke, said the design process will include engineering work, development of construction documents and assistance with bidding and construction oversight.
The cost of the design services represents about 6 percent of the overall estimated project budget, which officials said falls within the typical range for public construction projects.
If the timeline holds, construction could begin after the pool closes for the 2026 season, with the goal of reopening for the 2027 summer season.
During discussion, council members also noted the diving board may be evaluated or replaced due to liability concerns that often accompany older pool features.
Only one firm responded to the city’s request for qualifications for the design work.
Downtown grant project delayed after truck damage
The council also approved a six-month extension for a downtown revitalization project after the building involved was damaged in December.
The project had originally been scheduled to be completed by May 6, but repairs were delayed after the building was struck by a semi-truck on Dec. 30.
Because repairs from the crash will now be completed alongside the originally planned renovations, the council agreed to extend the project deadline to Nov. 6, 2026.
Dunekacke said the extension will allow time for additional approvals required through the historic preservation review process as well as engineering updates.
The project is part of the city’s downtown revitalization grant program, which helps fund improvements to commercial properties.
Housing rehabilitation funding approved
In another housing-related action, the council approved $3,270 in funding through Auburn’s local housing rehabilitation program to assist with renovations to a vacant property at 1323 10th Street for Donna Schmitz.
The program was created to encourage property owners to renovate vacant apartments and single-family homes and return them to the local housing market.
Funds in the city budget were set aside for the program after identifying a shortage of available housing units in the community. The incentive is designed to help offset renovation costs and encourage investment in properties that might otherwise remain vacant.
Nuisance property redevelopment approved
The council also accepted a proposal to redevelop property at 1113 11th St., which had been transferred to the city after nuisance structures on the lot were removed.
The city received one proposal from Luke Andrew via a seal bid for the amount of $1.
City Attorney Angelo Ligouri said Andrew plans to clean up the property, remove remaining nuisance structures, properly mitigate asbestos materials and construct a new residence on the site.
City officials said the project must comply with nuisance abatement guidelines and environmental requirements and is expected to be completed by August 2027.
Alley vacated 
Council members also approved Ordinance No. 1-26, which vacates an unused alley in Block 32 of Calvert Addition.
Ligouri said the alley runs east-west near 26th and N Streets and has not been maintained or used by the city for years. Public works officials also confirmed there are no utilities located in the right-of-way.
All surrounding lots are now owned by Jeff and Kathy Jones, who requested the alley be vacated. Under the ordinance, the property will revert to the adjoining landowners. Jones noted he was happy with the motion as they will now have full access to the property.
Other business
The council also approved a $25,200 pay application related to the J Street culvert project, which is intended to improve drainage in the area around El Portal and Highway 75. The work is scheduled to be completed around May 2026.
Council members also approved $2,570.36 in construction management expenses to Southeast Nebraska Development District tied to the city’s downtown revitalization program. Those costs will be fully reimbursed by the state, officials said.
During committee reports, the Mayor praised Auburn Creative District director Leslie Clark on the recent grant award to Auburn’s Creative District and announced a community welcome event at the Auburn Senior Center featuring Dr. Robert Mock, new president at Peru State College.
Council member Shawn Clark also inquired on the status of the fire hall project with city administrator noting funds are delegated for a study. 
The next regular meeting of council is set for April 13, 2026 at 7 p.m.