City council approves budget
By Shelia Tomkins
The Guttenberg city council at its monthly meeting on March 13 approved the budget for the coming fiscal year, purchased equipment for the public works department and heard project updates.
Mayor Fred Schaub led councilmembers Michelle Geuder, Steve Bahls, Jane Parker, Austin Greve and Mandy Ludovissy through the agenda. City Manager Denise Schneider was also at the council table.
Budget hearing
No comments were received at the public hearing regarding the proposed budget. This year's levy rate will be 15.54971 per $1000 valuation on regular property, an increase of 14-cents over last year.
Mayor Schaub said he wanted to clarify a comment at last month's meeting regarding shutting down on grant applications, saying that the city manager should come to the council first. "She can still write grants, but come to the council," he said.
Chamber/Vitality report
Chamber of Commerce and Community Vitality director Brandie Tomkins spoke to the council about new banners for the downtown area. The design will feature photos of historic buildings. The council discussed their preferences and approved proceeding with an order for 20 banners.
Tomkins gave an update on the $3,000 Black Hills Energy Trees Forever grant which will be used to purchase 20 trees. The council approved the grant agreement. A news release will appear in an upcoming issue of The Press.
She gave an update on the dog park project and said she has been conferring with Public Works Director Dan Pierce about ongoing efforts to find a suitable location for the park. "We want to see the project go forward, so we need to come to common ground," she said.
Other business
As discussed at previous meetings, the council approved a franchise fee for the natural gas utilty, a move designed to capture more revenue for the city by replacing the current system of a local option tax.
Ryann Husmann, who operates the Dam Bar and Grill in downtown Guttenberg, spoke to the council with a request to purchase city land or renegotiate his lease payment, which is up for renewal. His business sits on city-owned riverfront property. He also discussed the fact that he maintains the public parking lot adjacent to his business. After lengthy discussion, the council voted to proceed with the proposed 3 percent increase in his lease rate.
The council accepted the bid from Michael Randall to mow and trim rec areas this season, and accepted spraying bids from two contractors, Dustin White and Rich Kann.
The purchase of a stational natural gas power washer received council approval at a cost of $9,397. The council also approved the purchase of a used golf cart for the public works department for $5,750.
Discussion was held advertising for rec positions and concession stands. The city manager asked about increasing pool staff wages in order to attract applicants.
Jody Pierce, representing the Clayton Ridge post-prom committee, received council approval for the same donation as in past years — punch cards for the swimming pool.
The council set a $25 permit fee for temporary storage units.
Councilmember Michelle Geuder and Mandy Ludovissy were appointed to the finance committee.
A written report was submitted this month from Veenstra & Kim Inc., the city's engineering firm. Draft plans for water system improvements were submitted for city staff review. Bid opening for the Fifth Street overlay project will take place in April. The Big Spring trail project is awaiting final determination on land boundaries and ownership.
The Mayor noted that the light poles in the downtown area are in need of replacement and asked the city manager to start looking for potential grants.
