Project updates, boat trailers, waste contract on council agenda

By Shelia Tomkins

The Guttenberg city council heard an engineer's update on current projects,  listened to objections regarding a proposed boat trailer parking ordinance change, and approved a new contract with the city's current waste hauler, Kluesner Sanitation.

Mayor Bill Frommelt led council members Austin Greve, Fred Schaub, Virginia Saeugling and Jane Parker through the agenda. Mick Pierce was absent until the final minutes of the meeting. Also at the council table were City Manager Denise Schneider and City Attorney Michael Schuster.

Project updates

Steve Thompson, an engineer with Veenstra and Kimm, Inc., presented updates via Zoom on four city projects. 

•The Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project is progressing, and the schedule calls for the contractor to start televising and cleaning sewer lines the week of Aug. 17. The estimated completion date is October.

•The council approved a REAP grant application for $75,000 for the dredging of Horseshoe Pond. 

•A draft copy of plans was presented for the Riverbank Repair Project (behind the public restroom in the downtown area), and the council was asked for input on the termination point of the sheet piling wall. Following approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, Thompson anticipates putting the project out for bids in late September. 

•The Schiller Street land survey has been completed, and Thompson reported that a meeting was held with the Great Places Committee and the Umbrella Arts group to review the street, block by block. Thompson sought a clearer definition from the council of the scope of the project — whether to make needed improvements, such as sidewalks, ADA accessibility, and lighting, and/or to do a more complete reconstruction to meet the original goals of creating an aesthetically appealing factor to draw visitors to the downtown area.  It was the council's consensus to schedule an additional workshop with the engineer for further discussion. 

Boat trailer parking

The second reading of an ordinance amendment regarding the parking of boat trailers on city streets drew approximately a half dozen interested residents to the meeting. 

The proposed amendment says that boat trailers are allowed to park on the street for up to 24 hours, and that no trailer parking is allowed in the business district. It also states "a minimum of 24 hours is required before the trailer may be parked within 100 feet of the original location."

Martin "Elmo" Behrend presented the council with a petition with approximately 100 signatures of people objecting to the amendment as proposed at last month's meeting. The petition stated,  in part, "We should be allowed to park a trailer in front of our property for up to 72 hours, and longer if no one complains." The petition further proposed that any complaints be in writing and signed, and that before any legal action is taken the matter should go into arbitration.

Discussion followed on alternatives to parking in the street, police procedures when responding to complaints, boat trailer parking by tourists, and collecting data on complaints. 

A vote on the second reading of the ordinance was tabled until next month, pending attendance by the full council. 

Solid waste contract

After reviewing bids, the city's current waste contractor, Kluesner Sanitation of Farley, was awarded a five-year contract. The council was in favor of a Kluesner option to provide recycling totes for all customers; the totes would be picked up every two weeks, replacing the current small bins that are picked up weekly. The change would be at no added cost to the customer. 

Chamber resignation

Mayor Bill Frommelt reported that Chamber of Commerce Director Mandy Ludovissy has resigned,  effective last week, but that she planned to stay on to oversee an upcoming event, the Golden Knights parachute show. 

The mayor named some main duties of the Chamber Director position and suggested that some of those could be turned over to the new Community Vitality director. 

Sewer improvements financing

Following up on actions at previous meetings, the city council authorized loan agreements to help finance this year's sanitary sewer project. A loan from the State Revolving Loan Fund, along with a $500,000 grant, will pay for the project, estimated to cost approximately $619,000. Municipal Pipe Tool Company will be the contractor for the project.

Other business

The council accepted the low bid from Skid Steer Solutions for $8,995  for a skid loader mower. 

A bid was accepted from Crank's Tree Service of $120 per hour for tree trimming work that the city crew can't do. Total cost is estimated at $24,000.

The city attorney gave an update on the nuisance status of the Schrodt property on South Second Street. He said a lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the city asking the court to declare the property abandoned and award it to the city.  

City employee Kylie Bolsinger received council approval to obtain water certification. 

Council member Parker asked about the results of a public beach survey of river towns and about use of the lot south of the municipal building for parking. She also presented a resident photo of an overflowing trash can in Ingleside Park taken over the weekend, and suggested changing schedules to allow a city worker to remove the trash on Saturdays, or adopting a "carry-in carry-out" policy.

The council okayed a program by Umbrella Arts that will offer a $25 utility credit for a "Yard of the Month" program.

Aerial photographer Greg Cromer displayed views of Guttenberg and left contact information.