City council hears county tourism director
By Shelia Tomkins
The Guttenberg city council moved through a shorter than usual agenda at its first meeting of the new year on Jan. 13.
County Development
Darla Kelchen of Clayton County Development and Tourism spoke to the council with a request that the city once again help fund the CCDG with a $2,700 donation, which the council agreed to do. She reviewed the group's annual report, discussed grants in the pipeline, media and business outreach, and training programs, along with other CBDG initiatives.
Kelchen also presented new Arrivalist data that shows where visitors come from, when they arrive and how long they stay. She said that Guttenberg had the most visitors in Clayton County and that September was the biggest month here. She said that in 2024 her office received more than 8,000 requests for brochures/calendars.
She also touched on CCDG's partnership with other agencies such as Upper Explorerland Regional Panning Commission for various program such as building rehabilitation and derelict building issues.
SOO Green Easement
A temporary easement was granted to SOO Green for a staging area on city property when a new high-voltage electric transmission line is buried here on or along the railroad line. The council approved the franchise for the SOO Green project at a special meeting on Dec. 23.
The easement area will be near the south sewer building and pumping station. SOO Green will pay $5,000 per year for use of the site. The start date of the project here is unknown at this time.
Other business
The final certification of the 2024 water improvement project was okayed after the council approved a final change order and a payment.
On the recommendation of the Riverfront Advisory Board, the council approved a lease rate of $8 per foot for the coming year, the same as the current year.
The council approved a request from the Clayton County Foundation for the Future for a $500 donation in order to create a disaster fund for the county.
Jim Ferguson addressed the council to follow up on previous discussions about a request to purchase city property adjoining his father's property in the 800 block of North Fourth Lane. City Manager Jamie Blume told Ferguson that since he had obtained an attorney, the city's attorney has spelled out "what we can discuss," and she read a short written statement to Ferguson. He responded that he will send some more questions via his attorney.
The city manager reviewed the budget timeline and the need to set dates for public hearings. Special meetings were set for March 24 at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
An item that was tabled at last month's meeting — a request to rezone some lots from residential to commercial — received council attention. After discussion during which adjoining property owner Mick Pierce spoke, as did Steve Miller of the zoning board, it was the council's consensus to send the request back to the zoning board for additional review.
Police Chief Derek Chambers was added to the city's procurement policy, allowing him to make ordinary and routine purchases. At the close of the meeting, a new member of the police department, McKinley Rans, took the oath of office.
—On hand for the monthly meeting in addition to the City Manager were Mayor Fred Schaub and council members Mandy Ludovissy, Austin Greve, Jane Parker, Steve Bahls and Michelle Geuder.
