At its last regular meeting of the year on Dec. 8, the Guttenberg city council okayed a storm water improvement project, approved the collective bargaining agreement with city employees, and raised garbage rates.
Storm sewer project
John Lutz from Origin Designs presented plans, specifications and a cost estimate of approximately $397,000 for paving and storm sewer improvements in a two-block area in front of the school. The proposed time line calls for a public hearing on the project on Jan. 12 followed by bid letting, with completion prior to July 4.
Garbage rates
New rates for solid waste disposal will increase 75-cents per dwelling to $17.75 for each family dwelling and to $17.25 for each single dwelling. The increase will take effect Jan. 1. It is the first change since 2020 when rates were decreased by $1.50.
Contract approved
The contract with union employees, as recommended by the personnel committee, was approved with a 4% increase across the board.
It was noted that effective next July 1, city office hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be a change to on-call pay and paid-time off for the electric department. The contract will be effective for one year.
Councilmember Jane Parker said, "We want people to know we are trying to pay our employees fairly. Our job is to protect taxpayer money and do the best by our city employees."
Discussion was held on the clothing allowance for city employees, which currently is $250 annually; The council decided to increase it to $300 annually. The council also decided to leave longevity pay as part of the employee handbook rather than part of the contract.
Appointments
The council approved the following appointments: Jamie Blume and Mary Lee Moser - CDBG Housing; Patrick Kuempel, Sara Noack and Marie Torrey - Cemetery Board; Austin Greve and Fred Schaub - Clayton Co. EMC; Austin Greve and Joe Zittergruen - E-911 Board; Ed Dvorak - Park Board, and Michelle Meyer - Regional Housing.
Other business
Kim Davis of the Park Board received council approval to apply for a UMGC grant for park benches.
A second reading was approved on a proposed ordinance change that would allow C-2 residential use of up to 70 percent of the square footage in a downtown commercial building. The ordinance will be further considered at the next regular meeting before voting on final passage.
The council moved forward on a request from Dan Parker to purchase a parcel of city property adjacent to his office.
An ordinance to change zoning from Highway C-1 to Highway C-1A for property on North Hill Drive was approved by the council. The request was made by SignX/Meyer and was discussed at last month's meeting.
A zoning change in the same area, from M-1 to C-1A — requested by Rick Rosacker and previously discussed — received final approval.
Discussion was held on an alley assessment that seems to have slipped through official scrutiny when the property changed hands through the years. The council decided to table the matter in order to seek more information from the county.
The council approved a $500 business accelerator grant for Great River Antiques and Uniques, located on south Highway 52.
City employee Stacy Beck received council approval to pursue a sewer certification rating.
Chamber of Commerce Director Dan Schmelzer presented his monthly report to the council.
At the close of the meeting, Mayor Fred Schaub thanked Mandy Ludovissy for her four years of service on the council; her term ends Dec. 31. Councilmember-elect Brian Rodenberg attended the meeting as an observer.
The mayor also noted that going forward the town's emergency siren will only be used to warn of weather events and will not be used for fire calls.
— Present for the meeting were Mayor Fred Schaub, City Manager Jamie Blume and council members Mandy Ludovissy, Austin Greve, Jane Parker, Steve Bahls and Michelle Geuder.
