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Council mulls staffing matters

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Mayor Russ Loven, right, administers the oath of office to Virginia Saeugling, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Dave Schlueter. (Press photo by Shelia Tomkins)

By Shelia Tomkins

At a special meeting on Monday, Feb. 8, the Guttenberg city council discussed personnel issues, staffing options, and continued to work on the budget for the coming fiscal year.

The council approved the appointment of Virginia Saeugling, former council member whose four-year term expired in December. She fills the unexpired term created by the resignation of councilman Dave Schlueter, Clayton Ridge School business manager,  who is now a shared-time employee of the city. 

Iowa Code 28E allows state and local governments to share services and facilities. Schlueter, who now works approximately one day a week for the city, is helping with accounting work formerly done by long-time Assistant City Manager/Deputy Clerk Julie Zittergruen, who died in November 2015. 

The council also discussed other staffing options to help deal with the shortage of help in the office. City Manager Willett proposed hiring a part-time Utility Billing Clerk to work daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to handle office duties and to do cross-training. The new position would not include benefits. In addition, Willett proposed advertising for an Assistant City Manager/Deputy City Clerk.  The council approved advertising for both positions.

The City Manager also requested that she be allowed to take time off without pay. After discussion, the council's consensus was that she first use her paid leave time, and that the council would re-evaluate her request at its next regular meeting.

Other business

In other business the council  moved forward on abandoning easements in connection with the proposed construction of a Kwik Star convenience station along Highway 52.

In budget matters, the council okayed a $500 donation to the Clayton County Courthouse clock tower fund, and a $3000 donation to the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund. 

A timeline was worked out to finalize the budget for the coming fiscal year; a public hearing is planned for the next regular monthly meeting on March 7. The final budget estimate is due to the Clayton County Auditor by March 15. 

On hand for the meeting were Mayor Russ Loven, City Manager Mary Willett, City Attorney Michael Schuster, councilmembers Austin Greve, Fred Schaub, Jane Parker and Steve Friedlein. Virginia Saeugling joined the council table following the oath of office. 

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