Mobile food truck ordinance receives final city council approval
By Shelia Tomkins
The Guttenberg city council at its regular monthly meeting on Feb. 11 gave final approval to a mobile food truck ordinance, a topic that has occupied council attention since it was first introduced last May.
Mayor Bill Frommelt led councilmembers Mick Pierce, Austin Greve, Fred Schaub, Virginia Saeugling and Jane Parker through the evening's agenda. Also present at the council table were City Manager Denise Schneider and City Attorney Michael Schuster.
Mobile food vendor ordinance
At the January meeting, the council approved the second reading of the mobile food truck ordinance after making two changes: excluding parking at the marinas and changing the closing time to 10 p.m.
The third and final reading of the ordinance, without any additional discussion or changes, was approved at Monday night's meeting. The complete ordinance appears as a legal notice in this week's issue.
The council then acted on a resolution that set the following vendor fees: mobile food truck, $50 for one day, $1,000 for six months, and $1,200 per year; push carts, $10 per day, $60 per month, or $200 per year. The fees were approved on a 4-1 vote with councilmember Pierce opposed.
Housing grant application
Rachelle Howe of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission spoke to the council via speaker phone during a public hearing for a Community Development Block Grant application to rehabilitate owner-occupied housing. She reviewed the nine points of the application, and said Guttenberg has a high priority due to its aging housing stock. The council authorized the CDBG plan and selected Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission for administrative services.
Property request
Dave Brown spoke to the council and said he would like to acquire a parcel of city property adjacent to property that he owns near the ponds on the west side of Highway 52 near the Barron dental office. After discussion, the council decided to table the matter until the city manager determines if the Corps of Engineers considers the property part of flood control ponding area.
Chamber requests
Director Mandy Ludovissy of the Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce received council approval for the July 6 Stars and Stripes parade route to remain the same as last year. Plans also call for vendors to be in the same area in the park as previous years. She said the Chamber is still looking at ways to have fireworks launched from a river barge north of the lock and dam as in previous years, rather than from the south marina area that was mentioned earlier.
She also received approval for the annual Farmers Market that will run from May 18 until mid-October in the park in the 400 block of South River Park Drive, the same as previous years. She reported that vendors have asked that no large flatbed trailers be allowed to park there during market hours. Trailers have parked there in the past to be used as a music stage for special events.
New hires
J.T. Cunningham was approved as a reserve police officer.
Michelle Meyer was hired to fill the administrative assistant/payroll clerk position left vacant by the retirement of Debbie Eulberg.
Tate Olson was hired as electric department assistant.
Stacy Beck and Troy Wolf were hired for custodian and building maintenance positions.
Other business
The council concurred with a recommendation from Guttenberg Planning and Zoning to waive the right to review a plat for a subdivision on Abel Island. City code provides for the right to review a plat if the land in question is within two miles of the city limits. The council vote was 4-1 in favor of the recommendation, with Pierce casting the nay vote.
Dave Bahls of the River Park Cruisers received permission to have streets and alleys closed the same as last year for the annual cruise on Sept. 21.
Swimming pool rules, regulations, rates and wages as recommended by the rec board were approved by the council. The rate structure will be: individual season pass, $85 for a resident and $95 for non-resident; family pass, $175 for resident and $185 non-resident; general admission $5 per person, children age three and under, free; adult swim and evening swim, $2.50 per person.
The council authorized the city manager to proceed with plans for a "corridor" project, a result of the community's designation as an Iowa Great Place. The project would be designed to encourage travelers from Highway 52 to visit the downtown area by turning east on Schiller Street. A Great Places grant will be sought to help finance the project. The council approved hiring a landscape architect to come with with plans, drawings and estimates for the grant application.
An application for a state grant for sidewalks was approved.
Andy Reimer ws appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission.
A request from Deb Eulberg was approved to retain her current health insurance coverage at her expense.
In keeping with previous policy, the council took no action on a request from St. Mary's School for a complimentary pool pass to be used at a fundraiser.
