The Washington City Council met in regular session Tuesday night. Photo by Sally Y. Hart – KCII News

Unanimously the Washington City Council approved the city’s capital improvements plan for fiscal years 18-22 at Tuesday’s council meeting. Council members shared they’d received some feedback from constituents regarding whether or not to move ahead with establishing the Wellness Park in fiscal year 2018. Councilman Kerry Janecek said, “Infrastructure for me is top priority, but the opportunity to include improvements should not go overlooked for the future. The reason why the sewer and water problem exists is because of improper budgets and not proper planning, in the past and not looking toward the future. I would not to accomplish all new infrastructure and not have interest in people living here or small businesses wanting to relocate here. So, together we can accomplish both.”

The five-year Capital Improvements Plan includes a $1.3 million project to address inflow and infiltration, earmarks $1.5 million for the Wellness Park, and the construction of a fire station for nearly $2.5 million.

Mayor Sandra Johnson and City Administrator Brent Hinson explained what the money for the Wellness Park will include three baseball fields, restroom and concession facilities, and a park maintenance building. Johnson said, “That dollar amount that we asked you to earmark here is not just recreation, because there’s a lot of infrastructure within that price tag. The work would also include a pond to help with storm water management in the area.