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City council approves budget

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By Shelia Tomkins

The Guttenberg city council at its monthly meeting on March 6 approved the budget for the coming fiscal year, moved forward on a water rate increase, and heard  several requests from local residents.

Mayor Russ Loven called the meeting to order with council members Austin Greve, Fred Schaub, Jane Parker, Virginia Saeugling and Steve Friedlein in attendance, along with Assistant City Manager Jamie Blume.

Budget approved

The council adopted a $6.6 million budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. The new budget calls for a 1.29% decrease in the city's tax levy rate. (See story in Feb. 22 issue.)

Water rate increase

The council approved the second reading of an ordinance that will increase water and sewer rates. Water will increase 25¢ a month (from $25.75 to $26), and sewer rates will increase 50¢ (from $28.50 to $29). The ordinance must receive council approval at a third reading before it takes effect. 

Bulk water rates

The council discussed rates for bulk water, a topic prompted by a request from Canadian Pacific work crews to install a nearby fire hydrant meter and valve to allow more convenient access to city water. Currently the CP crews haul water from the city water plant on Bluff Street. The council voted to establish a one-time fee of $2,000 in addition to hourly rates for set-up and removing equipment.

Golf cart license fee

Guttenberg resident Ed Dvorak asked the council that golf cart license fees be lowered from their current rate of $100. Dvorak said that he checked with area communities, and that "Guttenberg is the highest one around." Fees and licensing requirements for electric cars and mopeds were discussed. Mayor Loven noted that the golf cart license fee was established by ordinance and to change it would require an amendment with three readings. The item was tabled for further study.

Casey request

Mark Blaine, regional construction supervisor for Casey's, asked the council to share the cost of improvements to DeKalb Street that will be made in order to facilitate access to a new diesel  fueling facility to be constructed north of the current Casey's store. He described the proposed flow of traffic, saying trucks would turn east onto DeKalb, enter the Casey property  for refueling at the new pumps and then exit onto Highway 52. He presented preliminary cost estimates  and asked for whatever amount the city was willing to share. He said he expected the project would be completed sometime this year.

During council discussion, it was noted that when Kwik Star built its facility here last year it donated all improvements. Mayor Loven said that while the city would probably improve DeKalb at some point in the future, it would not be to the degree planned by Casey's. Another consideration was the budget for the coming fiscal year. "We don't have the funds," noted Councilman Schaub. Mayor Loven said, "I think that we would expect that Casey's pay for the entire thing."

Rec Board items

The council voted to increase pool admission fees as recommended by the Rec Board. The fees will be $4 for single admission with ages 3 and under free. Passes and punch cards will be increased approximately 10%. The council also approved the hiring of managers and other staff as recommended by the rec board.

The council okayed a request from a newly-formed adult league to have the concession stand at Vets Field open during league games. 

Other business

Cindy Olsen of the Guttenberg Creativity Center spoke to the council to ask for a handicapped parking space as well as additional one-hour parking spaces during school hours for the businesses located on South River Park Drive across from Clayton Ridge School. The request was tabled for more information on the size and requirements for parking spots.  She also requested that a sign for the art gallery be added to the kiosk located south of Lock and Dam 10 at Schiller Street. 

Patty Schwarz of the Guttenberg Motel spoke to the council to ask the city to waive a minimum water usage fee for a sandpoint at a second building on the property on Koerner Street. A city ordinance passed nine years ago requires properties with sandpoints to pay a minimum water usage fee. Jamie Blume said that the property in question has been overlooked through the years, but the oversight was recently corrected. The matter was tabled for further study. 

The council approved an ordinance concerning perpetual care fees and guidelines for the city cemetery.

Clayton Ridge After Prom committee received a $50 Guttenberg bucks donation.

Janette Hansel and Howard Hubbell were re-appointed to the Planning and Zoning Board.

Street closings in the downtown area were approved for Germanfest for Sept. 22-23.

The council okayed the hiring of a Decorah accounting firm to handle the annual exam of city finances. Due to its size, Guttenberg is not required to have an annual audit but is required to have a yearly exam. 

The council accepted the low bid from Seneca Companies to remove an underground tank from city property near North Fourth Street.

In closing comments, the Mayor reported on two possible grants available for city buildings, and Councilman Schaub reported on a citizen concern about the future of the local hospital.

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