The Guttenberg city council has set a moratorium on any data center development in the city limits. The action came at the regular monthly meeting on June 8.
Mayor Fred Schaub noted that Clayton County is working on the issue. "I don't think they (data centers) are going to be in the city limits," he said, but that the resolution serves as a "statement for the city."
Angle parking
Discussion continued from last month's meeting about changing to angle parking in the 200 block of South River Park Drive across from the school. The street there was recently redone for a storm sewer project. It was estimated angle parking would add approximately a dozen parking spaces.
Mayor Schaub said the property owners he spoke with were not in favor of the change. Several council members voiced their support for angle parking, noting that any city comprehensive planning has always called for more parking. The mayor also said the Creativity Center would like to keep a one-hour parking restriction and also requested a handicapped parking space. After further discussion, the council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would establish angle parking there. The vote was 4-1 with council member Michele Geuder casting the dissenting vote. The ordinance must pass two more times before taking effect.
Electric scooters
The council and Police Chief Derek Chambers discussed safety concerns regarding youngsters who use e-scooters and e-bikes.
The police chief spoke on state and local law governing restrictions on the use of such vehicles and the difficulty of enforcement. He noted that e-scooters are subject to all traffic laws and spoke of a recent close call between a scooter and vehicle.
The council discussed unsafe riding practices they had witnessed, such as use on sidewalks, riding in the dark without lights, and other concerns. It was suggested that social media be used to raise awareness of safety and restrictions and to encourage the use of helmets. The police chief will do research on an addition to city code to be considered when a full code update is done during the next fiscal year.
Other business
The council okayed payments totaling approximately $300,000 for the recent storm sewer project on South River Park Drive, with payment to be split between the current and upcoming fiscal year.
J.J. Rochford, local insurance agent, spoke to the council about his detailed review of city insurance on property, vehicles, liability, etc. He discussed items that were currently underinsured or uninsured such as signs, playground, fencing, docks, lighting, etc. and answered questions about the quote he submitted. The council decided to renew its policy with this year's low quote from EMC/Tujetsch, but the mayor suggested re-evaluating the matter next year to incorporate changes suggested by Rochford and then "comparing apples to apples" when quotes are submitted.
The council renewed the city's health and vision insurance, employee dental and life insurance.
The council passed a "resolution of support" for Heart and Soul, an initiative of the Guttenberg Chamber of Commerce as outlined at last month's council meeting by Beth Sadewasser, Chamber president.
Discussion continued from last month's meeting on a request from Haley Wolter who would like to donate a statue to the city. Mayor Schaub reported that Ingleside Club was interested in the project. The council approved the club's proposal to have the statue placed at the entrance of the marina center on a concrete pad and a flower pot moved.
The council voted to dissolve the personnel and finance committees that were established by the council and had council members on them. City Manager Jamie Blume noted that meetings of those committees would be subject to open meeting laws. She said those committees sometimes discuss employee performance and evaluation, a scenario not always suitable for open meetings.
The council updated the job description for electrical superintendent and voted to post the position. There is currently no one in that position.
The mayor commended the police department for the June Cops and Bobbers youth fishing event.
—On hand for the meeting were Mayor Fred Schaub, council members Brian Rodenberg, Austin Greve, Jane Parker, Steve Bahls and Michelle Geuder, and City Manager Jamie Blume.
