By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the June 22 regular meeting of the Guthrie Center City Council, discussion was held regarding the need to assure that adequate lifeguard service is being provided at the city’s aquatic center. Faith Laboy attended the meeting and shared her observations.

“I’ve been taking my daycare kids to the pool this summer, and we’ve got some issues down there,” Laboy said. “At one point, one of our lifeguards was sleeping up in the chair.”

Laboy went on to describe seeing other concerning situations, including inadequate lifeguard staffing and inadequate scanning of the pool by lifeguards on duty.

City Administrator Kris Arrasmith said she reminded the lifeguards that the staffing requirements for the pool are based on the size of the pool, not on how many people are in the pool at any given time.

In other news, Arrasmith provided an update regarding the city’s preparations for RAGBRAI.

“We are going to offer showers down at the bath house. We are going to be selling those. We will use the money from that to go toward a Frisbee golf course, maybe next year or the year after,” Arrasmith said.

Arrasmith also noted that some city staff/volunteers will be able to use golf carts rather than trying to navigate busy city streets when thousands of visitors are in town on July 20.

“Jeremy over at Panora NAPA is going to donate golf carts for us to use during RAGBRAI, because getting vehicles around town will not be a good time,” she said.

The council set a public hearing regarding the proposed sale of slightly more than six acres of real estate near the cemetery. The hearing will be at the beginning of the next council meeting, July 13.

As part of the consent agenda, the council approved building and/or fence permits for 101 Main St. (J. Coons, screened-in porch), 309 South Seventh St. (C. Newman, fence) and 506 North Fifth St. (R. Edgington, small portable shed).

Arrasmith said on Sunday afternoon, July 19, the city will ask that no vehicles be parked along certain streets in the downtown area in preparation for RAGBRAI.

The next regular meeting of the council is set for Monday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome.

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Guthrie County Sheriff Matt Harmann reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on June 19 at 10:40 a.m. Mandy Jean Rath, 45, of Audubon, was driving a 2022 Chevy Express 2500 and was yielding to oncoming traffic on Highway 141 to make a left hand turn north on to Main Street. Abram Matthew Lynn Miller, 22, of Decorah, was driving a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan in the same direction and did not realize Rath’s vehicle was stopped until he rear ended it. Estimated damage to the Chevy is $1,500. Estimated damage to the Dodge is $3,500. No citations were issued.

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Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Josh Armstrong reported a two-vehicle accident occurring on June 18 at 11:25 a.m. Lynn Roy Sparks, 80, of Guthrie Center, was driving a 2015 Ford Edge SEL east on Bluff Street and turned left at the intersection of 13^th Street. Sparks cut the turn short, crossing into the opposite lane and striking Tanya Renee Sneller, 56, of Panora, who was driving a 2021 Hyundai Elantra SEL that was stopped at the stop sign of the intersection. Estimated damage to both vehicles is $1,501. No citations were issued.

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Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Jason Gray reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on June 15 at 3:10 p.m. Andrew Nathanial McBurney, 50, of Stuart, was driving a 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle eastbound on White Pole Road near the intersection of 345^th Trail when he lost control while traversing a left curve and entered the south ditch. McBurney struck the ground and then a bridge. Estimated damage is $4,000. No citations were issued.

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County Highway P28/Wagon Road between Stuart and the Monteith Road is closed for a full highway rehabilitation project. The Engineering and Secondary Roads Department believes this project reflects the county’s continued investment and commitment to safer and longer-lasting roadways for anyone traveling along one of the county’s main corridors.

The purpose of the reconstruction is to increase safety and durability on Wagon Road. The roadways will be widened in hopes to improve traffic flow and driver safety. Rumble strips will be installed on the shoulders and centerline to maintain driver consciousness. The surface of Wagon Road will be reinstalled with a stronger, more durable material to keep it longer lasting throughout the season changes.

During construction, no through traffic will be permitted on Wagon Road; however, local access will remain for residents, landowners and emergency vehicles. An official route detour will direct drivers along White Pole Road, Highway 25 and Monteith Road.

To those who wish to visit Nation’s Bridge Park, it will remain open for the duration of the construction. Through June, visitors and campers should access the park entrance on Wagon Road coming from the north via Panora, Monteith Road or 280th Road headed southbound. Beginning in July, visitors should use the park entrance on Wagon Road coming from the south via Stuart headed northbound.

Be sure to check the Guthrie County Conservation Board Facebook page for route information and changes.