City council hears hospital update, moves forward on cat licensing
By Shelia Tomkins
The Guttenberg city council, meeting in regular session on Nov. 7, heard an update from a Guttenberg Municipal Hospital board member, moved forward on cat licensing, and hired an architectural firm to look at the condition of the municipal building.
Mayor Russ Loven led councilmembers Austin Greve, Fred Schaub, Jane Parker, Virginia Saeugling, and Steve Friedlein through the agenda. Assistant City Manager Jamie Blume was also present.
Hospital report
Guttenberg Municipal Hospital board member Bill Allyn presented an update on the hospital's strategic partnership task force. Allyn is chairman of the newly-formed task force that is looking at the hospital's future. Other members are GMH board member Karen Merrick, Mayor Loven and Dr. Andrew Smith, GMH Chief of Staff.
The task force will lead the exploration of potential partnerships with other health care organizations. "This is more about a growth strategy than sustainability," Allyn told the council. He said that when the hospital board created the task force, one of its duties would be to report to the board and other stakeholders and to keep the process open and transparent.
Allyn said that a consulting firm has been retained and completed interviews in October with board members, city council, physicians and other officials. In the coming months, the consulting firm will conduct interviews with potential partners, using questions approved by the task force. When final possible partners have been identified, they will be invited to Guttenberg for face-to-face meetings. Allyn said that as the task force process goes forward, he will return to the council to report on progress.
Cat licenses
The council passed the first reading of an ordinance that would require cats to be licensed. The ordinance requires council approval at two more readings and final passage before it becomes part of city code. During discussion, councilmember Saeugling noted that licenses can protect a cat found at large by helping track down the owner. Resident Lori Wallace questioned the procedure and fees for returning tagged animals that are picked up, and also questioned who requested that the topic be brought before the council in the first place. "We feel it's never been known who put this in for a discussion...We feel this is a personal attack," she said. The first reading passed on a 4-1 vote; casting the nay vote was councilmember Schaub, who expressed concerns about the feasibility of enforcement.
Other business
The council hired Martin Gardner Architecture to provide a condition report on the Guttenberg Municipal Building to identify problems with the facility and propose possible solutions, timelines and budget. The cost of the firm's services is not to exceed $6,000.
Jenna Pollock, director of Clayton County Conservation, asked for and received the council's support for a county-wide Active Transportation Plan.
The council acted on two items held over from last month's meeting: accepting work for alley improvements and taking title to several parcels of land offered at no cost by Clayton County.
A request from Austin Finch to reduce a Community Development Block Grant loan was tabled pending a response from a contractor.
The council gave its approval to the park board rules policy.
The council received the initial proposal from the city workers' union.
A hearing to amend the current budget will be held at the Dec. 5 regular council meeting. The amendment is to reflect items carried over into this fiscal year from the water main project.
Brandon Bries was approved as a member of the fire department.
In consent agenda action, the board accepted the resignation of Dr. Michele Dikkers from the library board after 14 years of service.
Fire Chief Jim Cunningham and Police Chief George Morteo were on hand to answer any questions about their monthly reports.
Mayor Loven reported that complaints have been received about burning leaves. While the city doesn't have an ordinance that prohibits it, the mayor said there is no need to burn due to the fact that the city offers yard waste pickup.
