The Guthrie Center City Council met in regular session Monday night.

The Council approved a liquor license renewal for Dollar General, annual wage adjustments, appointments and designations, then discussed the Mary J Barnett Memorial Library’s December Library Board meeting and decisions made at it. They also heard from Streets and Wastewater Superintendent Darin Sloss, who shared they were at that time preparing for snow removal efforts, were taking down holiday lights and doing some additional tree removal. He also shared that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources was going to require them to upgrade a wastewater sampler, which he had received a quote of $4,853, which the Council approved the purchase of.

City Clerk Kris Arrasmith then gave the City Hall report, in which she shared that she had discussed selling a lot on 1st Street with City Attorney Dave Bruner, and he said that he’d assist with the proper paperwork for the transaction. She also mentioned that at the next meeting she would present a grant application for new playground equipment and a new shelter house at Mitchell Park, and that to help transition to a new financial software program, City Hall would be closing at noon on Wednesdays for the Month of January. Councilman Ian Steenson shared that he had discussed with Karla Janning of Region XII Council of Governments to obtain a copy of an application for their housing grant program, and would have it sent to City Hall.

Mayor Mike Herbert then discussed concerns with a Utility Board of Trustees member’s recent actions towards City Staff. Dan Nickell attended the meeting to represent the Board, and after much discussion it was decided by consensus that this behavior was unacceptable, and if it continued the Council would vote to remove said Trustee from the Board.