City council okays change in trash collection schedule

Guttenberg residents will soon see a change in their trash collection schedule. The city council, at its regular monthly meeting on May 12, approved a request from Adam Linden of Kluesner Sanitation to change the weekly trash and recycle collection day from Tuesday to Monday, and to also change half the town's recycle collection to the opposite week.  

Linden told the council that the request comes as a result of the company's plan to expand its operations in the area. He said his company would like to implement the Guttenberg change beginning June 2. The town will be split in half lengthwise with recycle/yard waste collection on alternate weeks.

Kluesner's will inform customers of the new schedule in numerous ways, including door-to-door flyers, The Guttenberg Press, Facebook and postings at local businesses. A toll-free phone number for those with questions will be included in the notices as per the council's suggestion.

Pattison Sand permit

Kay Vifian, who resides between Guttenberg and Clayton, spoke to the council to raise awareness about a permit modification that Pattison Sand Co. submitted to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that would allow the company to draw water from the Jordan Aquifer. She said there is a lot of local concern that local and municipal wells would be affected. She urged residents to write letters about the matter to legislators and DNR officials. "The letters become part of the administrative record," she said. "It may force them to consider some restriction or recommendations." She said the comment period has been extended to May 27. More information, including addresses, templates and concerns, is available on the Facebook page "Protect Clayton County Water Sources."

 Other business

Wages for the coming fiscal year were approved by the council: a 3% raise for union and non-union workers, with the exception of the library staff who will receive a 4% raise.

There were no comments received at a public hearing for a routine amendment to the 2024-25 budget, and the council unanimously approved the amendment. The council also okayed transfers of money between various funds.

Austin Coon of the Guttenberg Economic and Industrial Development Committee was on hand to answer any council questions about the  GEIDC's finances and plans, as a follow-up to a discussion held in April about the city's Revolving Loan Fund, which is currently administered by the city but was formerly under the aegis of the GEIDC several decades ago. Discussion was held on the amount of money in the Revolving Loan Fund, estimated time to build the fund back up, debt repayment schedule for the Community Resource Center, economic incentive demand at this time, and other  related topics. It was decided to have the city manager work with Coon to prepare some terms for that would provide for oversight in a  new agreement. 

Linda Ludovissy of Blooming Branches spoke to the council, following up on a conversation she opened at last month's meeting. She said the parking situation in the 500 block of South First Street has become even more of a problem with the opening of the Community Resource Center. She asked the council about establishing designated parking for Blooming Branches customers. After lengthy discussion, it was the council's consensus that she could place some signs in flower pots in front of her business. The council also proposed that parking lines be re-painted on the street and in the  nearby Herder Street parking lot so people know where to park.

A list of pool staff workers was approved by the council. Daisy Dickson will be the manager, and Jane Parker will serve as a liaison between her and the city office. 

A street closure in downtown Guttenberg was okayed for May 23 for a dance in conjunction with the annual Moxies Golf Tournament. A street closure on June 7 for a special event at the Guttenberg Brewery received council approval.

Outdoor seating applications were approved for two businesses, Sodes Green Acres and Driftwood Diner.

Michael Schuster, speaking on behalf of downtown businesses, spoke about returning some courtesy docks to their original site north of Lock and Dam 10. The docks were purchased using a grant from the Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation with the goal of providing boaters access to the downtown area, as per the terms of the grant.  They were moved in order to repair damage, said the city manager. The council directed that the city staff move the docks back to their original site as soon as possible. 

A handicapped parking space on South First Street was approved.

The council lifted a restricted use designation on property owned by Dan and TJ Pierce, since the property was recently rezoned. 

In a matter discussed at previous meetings, the council  conveyed a parcel of city property on Bluff Street to Patrick Helbing. 

At the conclusion of the agenda, the council moved into closed session as provided by law to discuss the purchase or sale of property. Upon return to closed session, the council unanimously voted to "act as directed" in closed session.

—Present for the monthly meeting were Mayor Fred Schaub, City Manager Jamie Blume and council members Mandy Ludovissy, Austin Greve, Jane Parker, Steve Bahls and Michelle Geuder.