'Vendo' world is not Monica Vernon's idea of an afternoon at the pool; she wants Ellis pool fix to include a concession stand

The City Council pushed ahead Wednesday evening with plans to fix the flood-damaged Ellis Park swimming pool at an estimated cost of $367,000.

Bids on the work will be opened on July 16 with work to proceed after that.

Council member Monica Vernon, though, is still unhappy with one change that is coming for the renovated pool. It's the change that will replace a concession stand operated by summer employees with “a collection of vending machines for more efficient operations," according to a city staff report.

At Wednesday evening's council meeting, Vernon pointed to the council's vision statement that calls for the city to build “a vibrant urban hometown.” Vending machines at the swimming pool does not fit that bill, Vernon said.

“I'm sure the vendo companies will be mad at me now,” she said.

Council member Justin Shields agreed. Shields said he'd prefer a city employee operating a concession stand to young children fumbling around with change trying to get a vending machine to work.

Vernon and Shields were the only ones to vote against the Ellis renovation as now configured, but Vernon said she's going to take another run at her council colleagues to keep a concession stand at the pool.