FESTIVAL SUPPORTED — Toronto Council agreed Tuesday to provide a $1,000 donation for the Gem City 4th Street Wing Fest being planned for July 5 by the owners of local businesses and were updated on the city’s swimming pool. -- Warren Scott

TORONTO — Toronto Council agreed Tuesday to provide a boost to a new festival and was updated on improvements made to the local swimming pool.

Council agreed to provide a donation of $1,000 for the Gem City 4th Street Wing Fest at the request of Abby LeMasters, owner of Tri-B’s Coffee Shop, who is organizing the event with Philip Livingston, owner of Baby-Boyz BBQ; and others.

The festival will start at 1 p.m. July 5 and offer food, activities and live entertainment leading up to the city’s fireworks display at about 10 p.m.

In a letter to council, LeMasters said she and others also have received donations from several local businesses for the event, which also will include a contest for the best wings and a car show.

She and Livingston have posted applications for food, craft and service vendors on their businesses’ Facebook pages.

In related business, 4th Ward Councilman Greg Herrick said he’s gathered information regarding a Designated Outdoor Recreation Area, or D.O.R.A., that he will share at the next meeting of council’s safety committee at 4 p.m. Monday.

D.O.R.A.s are areas of cities in which carrying an open container of alcohol is permitted under certain guidelines.

The idea had been pitched by LeMasters and Livingston with the festival in mind but also possibly during certain times throughout the year to attract visitors to the city and its businesses.

The proposal called for patrons of participating businesses to be given a certain, non-refillable cup with a QR code through which they could access a map of the D.O.R.A. and its rules.

In other business, City Services Director Linda Burkey said Toronto War Memorial Pool didn’t open for Memorial Day weekend because of the inclement weather but will open at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The pool’s regular hours will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for adults only and from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday. It will be available for private pool parties from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Burkey reported on work done to prepare the pool for the summer.

It has included wiring the newer, second picnic shelter; a new pump for the baby pool, new gutters for the concession stand and exterior security cameras.

It was noted the automated teller machine at the pool currently is not functioning, but admission may be paid with credit cards as well as cash.

In related business, it was announced the joint park board comprised of representatives of the city and local school board will meet at 6:30 p.m. July 1.

Third Ward Councilman Troy Stewart, who serves as a liaison to the board, noted it has switched from monthly to quarterly meetings.

Also on Tuesday, council authorized Bricker Graydon LLP and Northland Securities Inc. to proceed with the sale of $3.5 million in bonds to support the purchase of a new fire engine and ladder truck for the city’s fire department.

In related business, Burkey announced the Jefferson County Board of Elections has announced official totals for votes cast regarding the 10-year bond issue for the vehicles in the May 6 primary election.

There were 351 votes cast in favor of it, while 207 were against it.

Council’s next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. June 9 at the City Building.