City seeks longer Central Plaza water feature hours; feature operates as recirculating splash pad with routine testing

Drew Molnauer, Park Maintenance Manager and certified pool operator, updated council on the Central Plaza water feature and requested direction to adopt Park Board’s recommendation to run the feature from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Molnauer said the water feature is classified by the state as a splash pad and operates on a recirculating system, which requires daily manual testing (two manual checks each day), four‑hour pH and chlorine monitoring while open, weekly additional chemical checks and monthly bacterial testing. The feature is currently operating with music Thursday through Saturday and typically runs until 10 p.m.; staff recommended shifting open hours to match park business hours and suggested an 11 a.m.–10 p.m. schedule be adjusted to a 10–10 schedule per Park Board recommendation.

Molnauer said donor signage and depot signage are being installed, the plaza sculpture installation is scheduled for Aug. 28 to coincide with an Uptown event, and that some fountain features remain disabled while staff coordinate technical fixes with the vendor. The water feature’s recirculating design reduces water‑use costs compared with open‑flow systems (city does not repeatedly refill a non‑recirculating system).

Council asked whether the extra hour would change testing or maintenance; Molnauer said it would not add testing beyond the required schedule but would require staff scheduling adjustments for opening‑time checks. Council discussed whether the feature could run as an aesthetic element outside typical splash‑pad season (staff said yes if freezing is not an issue) and confirmed cameras and park surveillance are in place.

Council did not record a formal vote but indicated no objections to the Park Board recommendation to move to the extended hours. Staff said they will adjust staffing schedules and continue seasonal decisions about operation into shoulder months.