The Guttenberg city council at its monthly meeting on Oct. 13 heard funding requests from two Clayton County entities, listened to a resident concerned about engine brake noise, and began the budget process for the coming fiscal year by setting a workshop for Nov. 17.
Clayton County
Development Group
Darla Kelchen of Clayton County Development Group received council approval for a $2,000 city pledge for the annual marketing campaign. She spoke on marketing plans for the coming fiscal year and listed other sources of funding including the hotel/motel tax. She discussed software data that tracks tourist visits, noting that last year Guttenberg had 38,000 visitors from more than 50 miles away who stayed for more than two hours. Kelchen also announced that a large HUD grant was recently awarded to provide funds for new home construction in the county; a USDA grant has also been received. In reply to a question from councilmember Steve Bahls, she said there are still funds available to help demolish derelict buildings.
Clayton County
Childcare Coalition
Three representatives of the Clayton County Childcare Coalition — Tracy Kregel, Kristina Johnson and Tierney Hoefer — spoke to the council to request a $4800 city donation toward their program goals. They outlined plans to promote training and improve staff retention at county daycare centers. Incentives will be offered by meeting rating standards that are part of the Iowa Quality for Kids program. They noted that their program will be a partnership between public and private funds, and said they will be seeking donations from other sources, as well as establishing an endowment fund through the Community Foundation. Council member Jane Parker said she would like to see the group first reach out to organizations, the community and employers rather than city taxpayers. After discussion the council decided on a 4-1 vote to evaluate the request at its upcoming budget workshop, with Parker voting nay.
Engine brake noise
Sandy Dean, who resides on River View Drive between the Great River Road and Highway 52, spoke to the council about the excessive use of noisy engine brakes (aka Jake brakes) by semis traveling on both roads. She asked for more law enforcement presence. Councilmember Mandy Ludovissy pointed out that sometimes engine brakes are a safety feature. Mayor Fred Schaub agreed there is a noise problem and told of calls he has received from other residents. He acknowledged that officers can't "be there all the time." The mayor suggested, and the council agreed, to place a red flag on the current engine brake sign on Highway 52 and to add a new warning sign and flag on the Great River Road near Big Springs.
Other business
A budget workshop was set for Monday, Nov. 17, starting at 5 p.m., the first step in making decisions on a budget for the next fiscal year.
Rick Rosacker spoke to the council with a request to change zoning on property he owns in the industrial park area from M-1 manufacturing to C-1 commercial. The Planning and Zoning Commission had referred his request to the council and had neither recommended nor denied the request. The council discussed considering adding C-1A with additional allowed use of residential quarters on the ground floor. The council sent the request back to Planning and Zoning for research and recommendations.
Snow parking regulations were amended at the request of the police chief and the public works director to include areas on Pearl Street and the 600 block of South River Park drive.
The council okayed a resident request to make installment payments for an alley improvement project. Discussion was also held on a lien for alley improvements on a property that has changed hands twice since the original lien; the matter was tabled for further research.
The council voted to accept a quote to update computers in the city office.
The council okayed $3,000 contract for a required annual bridge inspection of the aging bridge on 310th Street and also for the bridge over Miners Creek on Garber Road.
The council took no action on an agenda item requested by Tim Schmitt to open meetings with prayer. Schmitt, who has had the item placed on the agenda at previous meetings, was not present. The mayor again noted that the city attorney had called it a "gray area." The mayor said, "For now we are just going to put the prayer off to the side and just do the Pledge of Allegiance to start the meeting."
The council okayed the annual financial report for the most recent fiscal year, the street financial report and the annual urban report.
Chamber of Commerce director Dan Schmelzer gave an update on recent activities and plans for upcoming events. — Present for the meeting were Mayor Fred Schaub, City Manager Jamie Blume and council members Mandy Ludovissy, Austin Greve, Steve Bahls and Michelle Geuder; member Jane Parker participated via speaker phone.
