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City council moves forward on bridge, cat licenses, camera system

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By Shelia Tomkins

The Guttenberg city council, meeting in regular session on Oct. 3, moved forward on the Garber Road bridge replacement project,  accepted a bid for a new camera system and instructed the city attorney to draw up an ordinance providing for the licensing of cats. 

Mayor Russ Loven led councilmembers Austin Greve, Fred Schaub, Jane Parker, Virginia Saeugling, and Steve Friedlein through the agenda. Also at the council table were Assistant City Manager Jamie Blume and City Attorney Michael Schuster.

Garber Road bridge

Julie Neebel of IIW, the engineering firm for the Garber Road bridge replacement project, spoke to the council about plans, timeline and funding for the project. She said that the Iowa Department of Transportation can move up funding for the local project because of a change in plans for Winneshiek County. The total bridge replacement cost is estimated at up to $1,250,000 with 80% coming from the federal government through the Iowa Department of Transportation. The bridge crosses Miner's Creek near its entry into the Mississippi River.

Neebel presented preliminary plans and said that the total cost would depend on whether there will be a complete detour around construction or whether one half of the roadway is made passable at a time, the latter being the more expensive alternative. She said the first step  is the investigative phase that would include decisions on routing, archaeological studies, wetland delineation, Army Corps of Engineers permitting, and DOT approval. Some of those steps are weather-sensitive. 

"These projects typically take 12 months to bidding after submission of first documents," Neebel said. "So now is the right time to be initiating this project." She said the earliest estimated date for bid letting is November 2017. 

The council authorized the Mayor and  Deputy Clerk to sign the IIW contract pending approval from the DOT. 

Cat licensing

The topic of licensing cats resurfaced after preliminary discussion at last month's regular meeting. Resident Lori Wallace spoke to the council with concerns about having cats wear collars. "I don't think they would wear them and we don't want to put them at risk," she said.

Deputy Clerk Jamie Blume reported that a survey of neighboring communities showed that half the communities that require licenses for dogs also require them for cats. In Guttenberg, the current fee for a dog license is $10, or $5 if the animal is neutered/spayed. 

City Attorney Schuster noted that under city ordinance it is illegal for cats to be at large, just as it is illegal for dogs to be at large, saying that pets must be under the control of the owner. Police Chief George Morteo noted the current ordinance provides for impounding fees for owners. 

Council members commented that licensing would be a means to back up the current ordinance, to identify owners and to protect pet cats. The council directed the City Attorney to draw up a cat licensing amendment, using the same fee schedule as for dogs, for consideration at its next meeting.

Other business 

At last month's meeting, the council tabled a decision on upgrading its closed circuit camera system. The city plans to order 10 cameras. After discussion, it was the council's unanimous decision to award the bid to Alpine Communication at a cost of $4315.25 plus installation.

Marina Manager Jim Zerbe addressed the council to discuss city policy on refunds of cancelled reservations for marina transient slips for this past season. The current policy allows for no refunds, but this year high water and river debris led to numerous cancellations. Zerbe said the industry standard is to allow a refund, usually a percentage of the fee. The new computer system that manages reservations makes it easier to process refunds, he told the council.  After discussion, the council decided to establish a policy of a 75% refund with a week or more notice, a 50% refund with three days or more notice, and no refund for no notice. 

The council tabled an item accepting alley improvements pending the receipt of a bill from the contractor.

An item requesting that city workers install flags on light poles on patriotic holidays was tabled since the person making the request was not present. 

The council also tabled an offer from Clayton County to give the city some parcels of land at no cost. Discussion touched on maintenance costs of those properties, as there is a rock slide potential on some of the properties. The City Attorney noted that the city can choose to accept what parcels it wants, or reject the offer, or accept all the parcels offered. 

The council approved the consent agenda, which included accepting the annual report of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital.

Fire Chief Jim Cunningham and Police Chief George Morteo were on hand to answer any questions about their monthly reports.In addition to his written report, the Police Chief noted that Casey’s received a $10 counterfeit bill; there were two additional engine brake violations, and that he had attended two meeting. Mayor Loven said he had prepared a State of the City report (see Mayor's column, page 3). 

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