The Guttenberg city council took the first step in adjusting electric rates, okayed the sale of city property and heard a presentation on future planning when it met for the regular monthly meeting on Sept. 14.
Electric ordinance
City Manager Jamie Blume presented an ordinance that would result in three changes to the current electric code. The first would be a 2-cent increase in kilowatt hour charges coupled with a 2-cent reduction in power adjustment fees, resulting in a "pass-through" charge that would not affect customer billing totals. The second change is a flat $5 monthly fee increase for electric meters. It was noted that this would create revenue for infrastructure upgrades. The third change is an increase from $2 to $3 per foot reimbursement for customers who install underground electric service in conduit. After discussion, the council approved the first reading of the ordinance; two more readings must be approved before it takes effect.
City property sale
The council moved forward on the sale of city property off Acre Street, a topic that had been discussed at two previous meetings. The council waived the city code requirement that there be a survey and appraisal, since a survey is already in place and the council had in effect bypassed an appraisal by using a realtor's opinion of fair market value.
The council then approved a resolution authorizing the sale of the property for $61,000 plus fees and costs to Terry and Lynne Winch.
Future planning
Aaron Detter of the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission spoke to the council to outline the services his agency can provide in creating a long-term vision for the community and a framework for future decision making. He also noted that it's important to have such a plan in place to reference when applying for grants. The city's current plan is approximately 13 years old.
Appointments
The following appointments were made:
GEIDC: Tom Augustyn, Laura Meyer and William Kann
Library Board: Sue Reindl and Robin Bauer
Riverfront Advisory Board: Mark Herman
Zoning Board of Adjustment: Tim Oliver
Other business
One-hour parking for four spaces in front of the Guttenberg Creativity Center was approved.
Jamie and Jennifer Gamerdinger spoke to the council about the lease for Landing 615, which sits on riverfront city property. They told the council that they felt the new terms of the lease, which is renegotiated every five years, were excessive since it calls for a 22.6 percent rate increase. The new amount was calculated based on the consumer price index for the past five years. They asked the council to look at the whole financial picture of what their business contributes to the vitality of the local economy. After discussion the council voted to make an addendum to the lease limiting the current renewal amount to a 3% increase.
Steve and Debra Blood spoke to the council to request a variance for a recent roof addition that has a 2-ft. overhang on city property on Jefferson Street. The zoning board had approved part of the variance request but referred the overhang question to the city council. After discussion, the council approved the request.
Brian Huinker, a benefits consultant from Deocrah, spoke to the council about employee health insurance plans and predicted that future rate increases will be steep.
A Police Department update noted that reserve officer Josef VonHandorf has resigned and J.T. Cunningham has been hired as a reserve officer.
A request for an office staff member to take additional municipal professional training was tabled for more information.
A public hearing was set for the next monthly council meeting on Oct. 12 for the sale of a small parcel of property to Dan Parker.
The council accepted a donation from Umbrella Arts of outdoor musical instruments located at three sites in the community.
The council considered a bid from MiTech to inspect utility poles; the last inspection was done here in 2016. The matter was tabled pending more information on the last report.
A special events permit was okayed for the VFW Post for a bass fishing tournament on Oct. 3. —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.
