Advertisement

City council opens year with bridge project, wage increase

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

By Shelia Tomkins

The Guttenberg city council in its first meeting of the new year, heard updates on the Garber Road bridge replacement project, considered but did not pass the third reading of a proposed cat licensing ordinance and okayed a wage increase for union city employees.

Mayor Russ Loven called the meeting to order with council members Austin Greve, Fred Schaub, Jane Parker and Virginia Saeugling present, along with Assistant City Manager Jamie Blume and City Attorney Michael Schuster.

Garber Road bridge project

The council heard a presentation on the Garber Road bridge replacement project from Julie Neebel of IIW Engineers, the firm managing the project. The bridge crosses Miners Creek within the city limits. The estimated project cost is $1.25 million with 80 percent funding from the federal government through the  Iowa DOT. 

Neebel said that initial analysis has been completed, including archeaologic and wetland studies. She presented construction options and asked for council direction. The council chose what Neebel termed as the most economical option — closing the bridge and detouring all traffic during construction rather than doing the project in stages. Neebel estimated that the detour would be in place for approximately 3-4 months depending on weather, and that work would begin in 2018. Discussion was also held on a proposed temporary entrance for  Bard Concrete but the council requested that IIW gather more data before making a decision.

Cat licensing

After lengthy discussion, the third reading of an ordinance requiring the licensing of cats died for lack of a second. The city recently received a letter signed by Dr. David Connell and the staff at Guttenberg Veterinary Clinic stating they did not support the proposed ordinance. The letter said that the clinic was never asked if it would serve as an impoundment location, thus incurring associated costs, and that collars on cats can often become a danger to the animal. The letter offered a solution, suggesting a municipally managed fund made up of donated funds to be used to trap and neuter feral cats.  

Council member Parker objected to having the fund municipally managed, and council member Saeugling said even if the cats are neutered and released they can still exhibit nuisance behavior.  

Mayor Loven said he didn't  think licensing is the answer. "I don't think this solution is the best but it is something. I think it is a general problem all over," said the mayor.  "Also I think when people have complaints they should talk to people. It's too bad everything is dumped on the city; it should start by talking to people. I'm not so sure that the city getting involved in licensing is a solution."

Resident Lori Wallace spoke against the ordinance, citing the potential cost to cat owners. "I would like to know how it went from a $5 license to a $200 to get my cats back," she said citing the total of potential fines and impoundments fees.  

Vicious animal ordinance

Following up on an item concerning pit bulls tabled at last month's meeting, the council gave final approval to updated wording in the city's "dangerous and vicious" animal ordinance. The ordinance, as approved by the council, include a list of wild and domesticated animals designated as dangerous and prohibited, and updated the wording of the section pertaining to pit bulls to read "any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominantly of the breeds of bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American pit bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier."  

Mayor Loven expressed his support for enforcing the licensing requirement for all dogs, regardless of breed, and enforcing the leash ordinance.

Hospital task force update

Bill Allyn from the GuttenbergMunicipal Hospital task force presented his third monthly update to the council.  "We are about mid-way into our process," said Allyn and added that preparations are being made for interviews with six potential partners in January. 

Allyn said the task force has met with local physicians and hospital staff members to create a summary of themes to use in the decision process.

Following interviews with potential partners, the task force will narrow the list and ask representatives for face-to-face presentations. The schedule tentatively calls for the board to receive recommendations from the task force in April. 

City workers wage agreement

The council approved an increase in wages for union city workers. They are currently working under a multi-year agreement  that provides for annual consideration of wage and health insurance. Effective July 1, employees will receive a 50-cent per hour wage increase.

Discussion was also held on increasing compensation for the mayor and council positions in the future, but no action was taken.

Budget work sessions

Dates for a series of budget work sessions were established as the council begins working toward a budget for the coming fiscal year. Plans calls for a public hearing on the finalized budget to be held in February, with final approval by March 15, the deadline to submit the budget to the county.  

Pryam Street RR crossing

Discussion continued from last month's meeting on a concern presented by Gary Westhoff regarding the closing of the Pryam Street railroad crossing. Westhoff told the council last month that closing the crossing creates problems accessing his grain drying bin. One solution, moving a city electric pole, was estimated to cost $10,000. Following last month's meeting, the Mayor contacted Canadian Pacific railroad officials to ask about a private crossing; the mayor reported Monday evening that does not seem to be an option  in this case. 

Discussion was held on the terms of the city’s agreement with the railroad regarding the closure (the city will receive $7500 from the railroad for the closure) and whether Schiller Street crossing improvements were contingent on eliminating a crossing. The city will be paying 20% of the Schiller Street crossing improvements; Schiller Street is on the schedule for improvements but the city does not know when improvements will be completed. 

Mayor Loven will contact railroad officials again and will contact Westhoff with an update and to schedule a demonstration.

Appointments

Jim Cunningham was re-appointed fire chief; LeeAnn Peterson was appointed to the library board and Bruce Bryant was named to the Cable TV commisison. Fred Schaub will be the city’s representative to the Clayton County E-911 Service Board and Mayor Loven will serve as alternate.

Other business

Discussion continued from last month’s meeting about a establishing a loan repayment deadline for Austin Finch for a Community Development Block Grant loan that was administered by Upper Explorerland. Finch has moved from the community and stated he is willing to pay back the loan with the exception of approximately $3,000 due to contractor issues. No action was taken pending further fact -inding by the city attorney. 

Upon the recommendation of the Guttenberg Economic and Development Commission, the council voted  to renew a three-year loan for Matt Lux, White Water Ventures.

Council okayed a mortgage request for a resident who was the recipient of a Community Development Block Grant. 

The council approved a usage agreement form for residents who borrow the city’s live animal traps.

Dates were set for 2017 meetings in months where the regular Monday meeting dates fall near holidays.

Rate this article: 
No votes yet