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Council hears project updates, lowers garbage fees

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By Shelia Tomkins

At its regular monthly meeting on Dec. 14,  the Guttenberg city council heard updates on major projects, reduced garbage fees, and gave the green light to a proposed pickleball court.

Mayor Bill Frommelt called the meeting to order with councilmembers Austin Greve, Fred Schaub, Virginia Saeugling, Jane Parker and Mick Pierce in attendance. Also on hand were City Manager Denise Schneider and City Attorney Michael Schuster. 

City project updates

Steve Thompson, an engineer with Veenstra & Kim, Inc., presented updates on several city projects. He notted that the sanitary sewer project is nearing completion, and requested that the council change the completion date from May 1 to June 1 in order to finish the work during favorable weather. 

Thompson said a pre-construction conference was scheduled with Taylor Construction for Dec. 16 regarding the riverbank repair project in downtown Guttenberg. 

He reported that the design phase of the Schiller Street project is nearing completion. Easement documents will be presented to property owners for their signatures. He suggested a meeting with the Umbrella Arts beautification committee to identify planter locations and other amenities.

Thompson said preliminary design work has begun for the Horseshoe Pond dredging project. Some surveying work needs to be completed and also an estimate of the silt depth in order to estimate a removal quantity. 

He said data is being gathered for the Master Trails plan. 

Garbage rate reduction

City customers will see a reduction in their garbage fees beginning Jan. 1. The new rate will be $17 per family or $16.50 per single person. The current garbage rates are $19 for family and $18.50 for single. The new fees approved by the council are the result of a reduction in cost to the city by Kluesner Sanitation.

Pickleball Courts

Resident Terry Moser spoke to the council regarding a proposed court for pickleball, an outdoor sport growing in popularity. After discussion about possible locations, the council gave the go ahead to utilize some city lots near the soccer field in south Guttenberg. Plans call for the project to be financed with private donations. 

SOO Green Project

The council heard a virtual presentation by a representative of Direct Connect Development Company for the SOO Green high voltage election transmission project that will utilize the railroad right-of-way through Clayton County. The direct current line will run underground from Mason City to Chicago and transport wind energy to eastern states.  The representative gave a brief summary of the project and said that the company plans to initiate the municipal franchise process in Iowa cities, including Guttenberg,  beginning in January.

Palmer house demolition

The low bid of Lansing Construction at $18,580 was accepted for demolition of the former Palmer house property. 

Other business

Following up on a decision made at last month's meeting the council formally approved the purchase of the Bender property at the corner of Schiller Street and Highway 52 for $70,000. The Schiller Street corridor project will utilize a portion of the property. 

There were no comments at a public hearing regarding a property trade by the city for land near Kann Manufacturing.

After months of addressing some lingering issues with the Guttenberg swimming pool, the council accepted the work from the construction contractor.

Pay requests were approved for Municipal Pipe and Tool for the wastewater project; Veenstra and Kim for engineering work on three projects; and Portzen Construction for the pool project. 

The council moved forward on action to raze and remove a nuisance building on Acre Street after property owner Tim Schmitt failed to meet an extension deadline of Dec. 14.

The council approved and administrative agreement with Upper Explorerland for the CDBG owner-occupied grant program for exterior improvements. 

The major reported on discussion with Dave Brown regarding pond property and a sign request. 

The council okayed purchase of the gWorks Front Desk computer program that will make city services more accessible to residents.   

Holly Corkery of Lunch Dallas, P.C. was appointed assistant city attorney following the retirement of the previous assistant city attorney.

Board appointments

The council approved the following appointments: CDBG Housing Committee: Steve Rausch, Mary Moser, Denise Schneider. Clayton County EMA/E-911: Bill Frommelt and Fred Schaub. Cable Commission: John Hess. Regional Housing Authority: Denise Schneider. Cemetery Board: Janice Anderegg. Historic Preservation: Andrew Reimer. Recreation Board: Michelle Eilers. 

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