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City council awards Schiller Street contract

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By Shelia Tomkins

The Guttenberg city council awarded a $755,097 contract for the Schiller Street beautification project to Portzen Construction of Dubuque at the regular monthly meeting on Monday, March 8.

There were no comments received at the public hearing that preceded the approval of the plans and the consideration of bids. Steve Thompson, an engineer with Veenstra & Kim, Inc., guided the council through the bid process, discussing the base bids and alternates. After receiving bids that totalled more than $1 million for Schiller Street work on both the east and west sides of the highway, the council decided to scale back and go with the base bid that focused on work on the east side.  The project will cover work from the highway to River Park Drive and includes such  items as sidewalks, lighting, handicapped access, and a pedestrian-activated crossing at the highway as well as some sidewalk work on the west side. The council also chose to add new street lights on west Schiller. 

The project will be funded with a $248,000 grant with the balance coming from money currently in the electric fund, the capital projects fund, and local option tax fund.  

* * *

Mayor Bill Frommelt led council members Jane Parker, Virginia Saeugling, Fred Schaub, Austin Greve and Mick Pierce through the evening's agenda. City Manager Denise Schneider was also on hand.

Thompson also updated the council on the riverbank repair project in downtown Guttenberg, saying that the wall has been completed and quotes are being sought for bank stabilization and riprap. He also noted that the sanitary sewer project by Municipal Pipe and Tool Co. is nearly complete.

Budget hearing

There were no comments received at the public hearing on the budget for the coming fiscal year.  The budget calls for no increase in municipal property taxes.

Temporary increase in electric costs

The city manager alerted the council that electric rates will jump in the coming months due to weather-related wholesale price increases that the city will pass along to its customers. She said she doesn't expect the power adjustment increases to be long-term. (See story on page 3.)

Other business

Since Iowa Governor Reynolds has relaxed state requirements on face masks, the council okayed rescinding the city-wide mandate for face masks, but still encourages the continued use of masks and social distancing.

The council approved a collective bargaining agreement with city union employees. The council approved the tentative agreement last month.

Brandon Kann spoke to the council about plans to develop an RV campground along North Fifth Street south of the Imagine the Possibilities office building. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended that the council approve a zoning change to accommodate the campground. A public hearing will be held on the request at next month's council meeting. 

Matt McLane spoke about plans to develop property behind Casey's next to the railroad track for storage units. He requested that the city gravel and open South Fourth Street in the 400 block at Rotteck Street to allow for the development. The city will check on the cost and discuss the matter at the next meeting. 

Lois Garin spoke to the council about a water line that has been frozen at her residence since mid-February despite a plumber's efforts to open the line. She asked that the city waive water and sewer charges for the time spent without water. After lengthy discussion, the council took no action on her request. The city manager will furnish her with a map of water mains in the area. 

Dave Bahls, representing the River Park Cruisers, received permission for street closings for their annual car show on Sept. 18, the same streets as in past years.

Dennis McNeal spoke on behalf of the Rotary Club asking if city employees could help put up flags on light poles that the Rotary Club purchases each year. The city manager will discuss the request with the city crew.

The council approved an escrow agreement with Tim Schmitt as discussed at last month's meeting regarding the repair or demolition of a nuisance property on Acre Street.

The council okayed an agreement presented by Michelle Howard from Upper Explorerland reflecting some changes to a grant program for homeowner rehabilitation projects from the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

The council authorized "no parking" signs on the west end of Herder Street near the city well house.

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